Does the internet give people free reign?

[Aries]

I'm not pointing any fingers at anyone on this forum, but the internet in general. Has anyone noticed or do you feel that there are some people on forums, etc. that act and say certain things they would never say to someone in person? Personally for me, I am the same way in person as I am on forums. I try not to say hurtful things and try to be considerate of the person reading my words. What are your thoughts?

 

[Darrell]

What you see HERE is what you get with me in person. I'm not talented enough to carry on separate personalities. :24:

However, many people on the web fly under the guise of anonymity, and believe that means they can act as tough or rude as they want. That must be a really miserable existence.

 

[AUFred]

Keyboard badd a$$e$ are very prevalent. They can be big and bad in Momma's basement.

 

[HK]

This doesn't just apply to people who troll for reactions.

There are topics that I just don't bother to discuss with family and friends, mainly sensitive topics like religion and politics. I have no desire to start an argument with my mother about whether there's a God. A discussion forum though, is there primarily for people to have discussions. I like coming places like this to talk about topics I probably wouldn't get the chance to discuss in real life without risking upsetting others or just creating awkwardness.

Although yes, I think the internet gives people a chance to say things they wouldn't say face-to-face, that's not always a bad thing. It gives people who for one reason or another won't or can't talk about certain topics a place to not only talk about them but get points of view from around the world. I don't think I'd know as much as I do about debate without the internet to practice on!

Some people will always abuse anonymity. That's just how it is, give a kid a mask and suddenly they're invincible. I don't think there's really any question that those people exist, but they're not the majority, and that's the important thing.

 

[Peter Parka]

Of course there are. I tend to think that most of them are losers in real life who are so pathetic it's the only way they can get any self esteem - by talking hard from behind the safety of their keyboard. That like all that crap that tuffdisc said about me on here and then his threats to sue me. I called his bluff and sent him my name and address so his lawyer could contact me and get the ball rolling. Still haven't heard anything from the big girls blouse. :24:

 

[retro]

What you see here with me is what you get in real life. I'm a brutally honest person and I don't necessarily take people's feelings into account when I say things. Either that, or with some people I don't care to take their feelings into account. I call things the way that I see them, and don't see the need to sugarcoat things. If that makes me a bad person, then so be it, but I'm not going to change who I am because people are offended by my honesty. :24:

 

[anathelia]

Of course people take free rein on the internet. You know you'll never have to actually meet these people, and anonymity makes it a lot easier to be a d-bag. It just is the way it works *shrug*

 

[Mystic]

I think i am more held back online and i certainly have A LOT less manners on here. I don't swear in real life unless its really needed. I do however bite my tongue more often online than i would in real life. I don't leave much unsaid in real life and i'm straight up and honest to the core. ...and i'm pretty opinionated when its called for....i think i mix both worlds well with who i truly am. People either like or hate me and i don't give a fuck either way...lmao

 

[Darrell]

I think i am more held back online and i certainly have A LOT less manners on here. I don't swear in real life unless its really needed. I do however bite my tongue more often online than i would in real life. I don't leave much unsaid in real life and i'm straight up and honest to the core. ...and i'm pretty opinionated when its called for....i think i mix both worlds well with who i truly am. People either like or hate me and i don't give a fuck either way...lmao

I think you're okay.

 

[AUFred]

I am much the same either in person or on-line.

 

[Springsteen]

Generally speaking I'm more open on here, talking a lot more etc. In real life it's harder because I'm generally a shy person, thought I *can* talk, heck I used to co-host a wrestling radio show a few moons back, so I could at least talk for 2 hours a week (we used to go Tuesday and Friday) then, so when prompted I can talk. I think that's generally the same for most people as well, because I think it's easier to put your point across online than IRL, though sarcasm often doesn't convey well online.

 

[darkcgi]

one of the issues with the internet is there are several places in the world that have access to the internet and are not governed by laws protecting us from them

 

[Dana]

What you see HERE is what you get with me in person. I'm not talented enough to carry on separate personalities. :24:

:homo: Unless you know a person off the internet theres no way to discern how someone may act offline.

 

[darkcgi]

i tell about me here than most places
dont have many friends outside OTZ

 

[Thornless]

What you read is what you get.

 

[StripedCat]

however, many people on the web fly under the guise of anonymity, and believe that means they can act as tough or rude as they want. That must be a really miserable existence.

this!

 

[NY Tall Guy]

I think some smart asses feel that they can hide behind a keyboard and a computer monitor...and then all of a sudden they think they are transformed into an internet God...when they would never EVER have the balls to do or say any of it to someone's face..and in this day and age, everything is electronically based in some way shape or form...young impressionable kids teaming up on each other..and even going to the extent of cyber bulling...and making the offended kids commit suicide...I wonder...where the fuk are the parental controls on these computers???....or monitoring their time on them???...oh...silly me...that's right...the lapse parents are too busy texting while they're driving or talking on their cell phone...silly me..THAT'S where they are..son and daughter like mother and father...

 

[cam elle toe]

It makes it easy to see why some peeps often complain of having no friends or no social life off here.

When I see how they act on here, and admit to being no different in person, I can understand why.

 

[Francis]

I am who I am whether it be in person, online or on the phone..

I find people who act tough behind the keyboard or the phone usually just don't have guts to stand up for themselves in real life.. So they do so in the anonymity of the keyboard or telephone ( be Cell or Landline ).

 

[Natasha]

I would have to say that I speak my mind more on the internet than I do in person. I'm a very non-confrontational person face to face and will let things build up until I just explode. I'm more free w/ the opinions I voice online.