The Internet Helps Me Be You

We are living in an age where nobody wants to be themselves anymore.

Camille wrote on her blog on reflection of iPod culture:
“ Therefore, it is easy to identify that technological evolution with humans need to form an identity is sadly preventing people from portraying there true self to the world.” 

While this is in reference to the iPod culture, it is reflected very clearly in the prevailing Internet culture as well.

The Internet is a powerful tool that has played pivotal roles in shaping culture in society. “The digital computer creates a virtual reality in which truth and lies, real and unreal can no longer be distinguished.” (Hamelink C. J, 2006) 

The fact that I could steal a person’s picture, access  his particulars on Facebook and in general, pretend to be him with just a few clicks shows just how easy it is to take on another identity. 

An article by The New York Time also highlights this case with stark consequences,In the article, Aided by Internet, Identity Theft Soars, it is revealed that within a short time span from 1998 to 1999, identity thefts exponentially soared by almost 3 times

. 

I propose two ways that may help stem this exponential increase:

1) Inculcate a culture of self-pride. The lack of self-worth and esteem could be central to why people so often want to be another person on the Internet as highlighted by Brennan, Geoffrey in the study Esteem, Identifiability and the Internet (2004).

2) Centralize social networks. There are plenty of platforms where people can pretend to be another person. However, if a social network is centralized, it is much harder for a someone to pretend to be another person. Unless he is a social outcast, he would probably be caught on the spot!

While the need for false identities on the Internet may never be completely eradicated, we can work towards a future with greater transparency, and thus, provide deterrence to those that are inclined to do so.

 

References:

Chapter 7: The Ethics of the Internet : Can We Cope WIth Lies and Deceit on The Net?, Hamelink, C. J, 2006

http://rfrost.people.si.umich.edu/courses/SI110/readings/Privacy/IDtheft.pdf 
“Aided by Internet, Identity Theft Soars” The New York Times, Technology, by Timothy L. O’Brien, April 2000

Further Readings:

 

“Esteem, Identifiability and the Internet”. Analyse & Kritik , by Brennan, Geoffrey (2004) p.139