CHAPTER 70

ANONYMITY AND IDENTITY IN CYBERSPACE

M. E. Kabay, Eric Salveggio, and Robert Guess

70.1 INTRODUCTION

70.2 DEFINITIONS

70.2.1 Cyberspace

70.2.2 The Real World

70.2.3 Identity in the Real World

70.2.4 Anonymity and Pseudonymity in the Real World

70.3 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF ANONYMITY

70.3.1 Deindividuation Theory

70.3.2 Identity in Cyberspace

70.4 BALANCING RIGHTS AND DUTIES

70.4.1 Benefits of Anonymity and Pseudonymity

70.4.2 Privacy and Freedom in Virtual Worlds

70.4.3 Disadvantages of Anonymity and Pseudonymity

70.5 SYSTEMS ANALYSIS OF ANONYMITY

70.6 IMPLICATIONS AND DISCUSSION

70.6.1 Individuals, Families, and Schools

70.6.2 Ethical Principles

70.6.3 Corporations and Other Organizations

70.6.4 Internet Service Providers

70.6.5 A Free Market Model for Identity in Cyberspace

70.6.6 Governments

70.7 CONCLUDING REMARKS

70.8 SUMMARY

70.9 FURTHER READING

70.10 NOTES

70.1 INTRODUCTION.

As electronic communications technology becomes widespread among increasingly international populations of computer users, one of the most hotly debated questions is how to maintain the benefits of free discourse while simultaneously restricting antisocial communications and behavior on the Net. The debate is complicated by the international and intercultural dimensions of communications today; what is viewed as freedom in some parts of the world is perceived as license in other communities. Conversely, what are conceived by some as attempts to impose civility on international discourse are sometimes ...

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