Web anonymity: blessing or curse?

I described Formspring to a few adults and teens who hadn’t heard of the site, and their reactions were the same as mine: "Why?!?” Indeed, Formspring seems to open up users to criticism, with the obvious potential for bullying and malice.

My understanding of Formspring is that its appeal lies in the curiosity factor. The desire to know what other people are secretly thinking is natural, and Formspring provides such an opportunity.

Yet one would think that people would be wary of such an environment, because it lacks accountability. I mean, there’s no guarantee that advice given is meant seriously, or even coming from someone who knows you, rather than someone who just randomly came across your page. Consulting a few friends’ and other random Formspring profiles, I was surprised to find how many spiteful questions were present ... and those were the ones that the users chose to answer, which led me to wonder what actually didn’t get posted.

I think the Internet’s anonymity can be both a blessing and a curse. Beyond the literal anonymity of Formspring, sitting at a computer screen, people feel less accountable for their actions (scroll down to the comment section of any YouTube video and read some the inanities that people post, should you need evidence of this). "Cyberbullying,” the term for hurtful e-mail threads, exclusionary Facebook groups and other such behavior that takes place over the Internet, is an obvious issue. I’ve seen this kind of stuff take place, and it can be vicious. I think Formspring is one such program that unfortunately opens the door for such situations.

At the same time, I’ve known some people for whom the Internet’s insulation allows for social contact that would otherwise be intimidating. One friend of mine comes to mind. When I first met him, he was quite reserved. Then, talking to him on the Internet later, suddenly he was more engaged and social. Having established a rapport digitally, in-person conversations were then more fluid.

In this sense, the Internet is a huge boon, because it provides a non-confrontational environment for people to get their bearings socially. The lack of direct contact allows some to better formulate their thoughts because less immediate pressure exists.

The Internet gives rise to a seemingly limitless array of possibilities and socializing is no exception. However, at the same time, it can be a pitfall, beyond just squandering hours in one session on Facebook. Not having to stand behind your words and actions can engender a level of nastiness that would otherwise be inconceivable, resulting in the sacrifice of what one learns and discovers during personal interaction. Though they are wonderful social tools, especially for those who are more reserved, a keyboard and an Internet connection shouldn’t be looked upon as an waiver of responsibility. And occasionally, as some teens learn the hard way when seeking college admissions, scholarships or employment, the Internet isn’t as anonymous as one might think.

As further reading, I recommend the May 5 New York Times article "Teenage Insults, Scrawled on Web, Not on Walls.”

Ari Brenner is a senior at Aragon High School. Student News can be reached at studentnews@smdailyjournal.com.