Guest Blog: Conor Monk from The Diana Award’s Anti-Bullying Pro campaign on why anonymity online is a tool
Let’s make it clear from the outset, anonymity is nothing new. Arguments over how people act when they think no one is watching go back to Plato and throughout history anonymity has been used for good and ill.
It’s important to remember this in the 21st century, because it’s easy to get swept away in the belief that anonymity is a new and dangerous terror. Certainly the internet has made it simpler to create an online alter ego, but anonymity is a tool and like any tool it cannot be intrinsically good or bad; it is the user who determines whether it is employed positively or negatively.
At Anti-Bullying Campaign we’ve been working with ASKfm, the Question and Answer social network that allows the use of anonymity, to ensure that teachers, parents and especially young people are aware of the benefits and possible risks of using online anonymity.
What is the issue with anonymity?
Anonymity has always been a core part of the internet, in the early days of Usenet (messaging boards that predated the World Wide Web) many users had elaborate pseudonyms which allowed them to communicate free of hang-ups about their identity or place in society. The result was a broadly positive community of people interacting on an equal basis with one another. It enabled them to share their true feelings online and it’s the same amongst young people today.
“Many users had elaborate pseudonyms which allowed them to communicate free of hang-ups about their identity or place in society”
They’ve told us that they value anonymity because of the freedom it gives them; they can take part in conversations without prejudice and can protect their personal information.
However it is clear that a minority of young people are misusing anonymity as a cover to harass and bully others. One of the most common ways of doing this is through creating social network accounts with pseudonyms purely for the purpose of bullying others. The impact of this can be twofold; firstly it can undermine the victim’s confidence and wellbeing (particularly if they are already vulnerable). Secondly online anonymity has its limit and if the perpetrator of malice is found, it can result in them having a ‘rude awakening’ both on and offline.
“It is clear that a minority of young people are misusing anonymity as a cover to harass and bully others”
Bullying using social network accounts is particularly prone to being uncovered because whilst perpetrators may be unknown to the victims, the social networks will know exactly who they are thanks to IP address tracking and other tools. With social networks and police forces working closer together than ever, and a strong focus from government on tackling online abuse there is a strong potential for young people to make life-changing errors in a way there hasn’t been before.
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What is the answer?
The best way to prevent online anonymity being misused is through education. In the short term it is important that young people, teachers and parents/guardians have practical guidance on what steps they can take if they or someone they care for is being targeted by anonymous bullies as well as somewhere they can go for advice.
We have answered this need by developing advice leaflets that give a clear overview of anonymity as well as straightforward advice that those affected can use immediately.
In the long term it is important to ensure that young people and adults that look after them are aware of the beneficial opportunities provided by online anonymity as well as the potential consequences of negative actions for both their victims and themselves.
Through delivering an assembly programme to schools as well as short video based modules that teachers can pick up and run in the classroom, we are ensuring that young people and teachers have access to the relevant information they need to make positive choices.
We can’t expect young people to intuitively understand the right and wrong way to use online anonymity, but we can educate them so they are able to make informed choices about their future.
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Top Tips for using anonymity online
1. Remember that all activity online leaves behind a trace and if you break the law, even anonymously, you can be found and held to account.
2. The comments you post online can have real-life consequences for others and yourself, try to act positively when online whether anonymous or not.
3. As with all online communication, only give your personal information to people who you know and trust.
4. If you feel uncomfortable online at any time, or if someone is targeting you anonymously, make sure you tell someone you trust such as a parent/guardian, teacher, friend or charity/
For more information about our resources and assembly programme see http://askfm.antibullyingpro.com/ or email conor.monk@diana-award.org.uk
This article was originally posted by The Diana Award on DITTO. DITTO is a free half-termly magazine for schools and parents. The magazine is about keeping you up to date with risks, issues, advice and guidance related to keeping children safe online,but also with a view to enjoying and learning about technology.
