Online anonymity: study found 'stable pseudonyms' created a more civil environment than real user names

Posted on 18 November 2021

Dr Alfred Moore's latest article

Alfred Moore image

Dr Alfred Moore has just had his article “Online anonymity: study found 'stable pseudonyms' created a more civil environment than real user names ” published on The Conversation website.

Alfred says "The ability to remain anonymous when commenting online is a double-edged sword. It is valuable because it enables people to speak without fear of social and legal discrimination. But this is also what makes it dangerous. Someone from a repressive religious community can use anonymity to talk about their sexuality, for example. But someone else can use anonymity to hurl abuse at them with impunity."