The Rise of the Digital Mask: Motivations, Behaviors, and Implications of Anonymous Profiles on Facebook
Three dominant themes emerged:
This paper explores the phenomenon of anonymous profiles on Facebook, a platform historically rooted in the “real-name” policy. Through a qualitative analysis of user motivations and online behaviors, this study investigates why individuals create anonymous accounts, how they interact with others, and the subsequent social and psychological implications. Findings indicate that users adopt anonymous profiles for three primary reasons: privacy protection from surveillance and data mining, liberation from social norms to express marginalized identities or controversial opinions, and tactical evasion of real-world consequences (e.g., stalking, employment scrutiny). However, this anonymity also facilitates negative behaviors, including trolling, harassment, and misinformation. The paper concludes that anonymous profiles represent a double-edged sword in digital social spaces—offering essential refuge for vulnerable populations while simultaneously challenging community integrity and accountability. fb anonymous profile
Research in computer-mediated communication (CMC) suggests that anonymity can reduce social inhibitions (Suler, 2004), enabling “disinhibition” that may be either benign (self-disclosure of trauma) or toxic (flaming, trolling). Christopherson (2007) found that anonymous users feel less accountable, leading to both creative risk-taking and anti-social behavior. The Rise of the Digital Mask: Motivations, Behaviors,