RE: Anonymous accounts. I was a queer teen in a Southern state and a religious right household. I get the value of anonymity in understanding yourself.
But let’s get real. That’s it why most people use anonymous accounts. They enjoy the ability to say whatever they want while risking nothing. Often while attacking people using their real names.
Just be honest about it.
The ability to say whatever I wanted about my gender while risking nothing here back in 2018 and 2019 is what I needed to get the courage to be myself. Also in a Southern state, though it took longer to muster the courage for me.
I don't want to stop the second at the price of the first. It's too high a price, especially in an increasingly authoritarian world.
I suspect on a sheer volume of numbers basis, the number of folks who benefit from this exceed the number of people harmed, though both are dwarved by the trolls.
The thing is, with IRL required, you'll just see trolls become pro-government harassers like what happens in China or Russia.
@jenalyze I’m not suggesting there shouldn’t be anonymous accounts. I am suggesting the overwhelming majority are incredibly unpleasant to interact with. It enables the worst parts of themselves.
@briannawu @jenalyze I'd argue that de-anonymizing them wouldn't make them better people, or even cause them to behave particularly differently. The problem isn't anonymity... it's lack of accountability.
