Should we eliminate
anonymous comments online?
ANYBODY CAN POST remarks on social media or in the comments sections of newspaper and magazine articles without
giving their name. Such online anonymity has been under attack
by those who say that it encourages misinformation, rude comments, stalking and bullying. Others argue that requiring people
to use their real names in these instances would curtail free
speech and eliminate an important forum for activists, victims
of abuse, whistleblowers and others.
What do you think?
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC. On the internet, search:
• Should anonymous comments be banned on blogs?
• Should we have the right to anonymity online?
• It’s time to end anonymous comments on the internet
• Anonymity: Electronic Frontier Foundation
INFORMEDDEBATE
•I think it makes no difference.
There are plenty of folks using
their real names who post obnoxious comments, so I’m sure that
eliminating anonymous comments
would change nothing.
—Kevin J. O’Conner
•Anonymity allows people to speak
freely without fear and reprisal for
speaking unpopular views.
—Hal Summers
•A real-name-required policy would
be virtually unenforceable. Many
decent and honest people have
good reason not to want to be
personally identifiable by an anonymous public.
—Andrea Atwood
•Freedom of speech comes with
a price. If your speech is legal and
honest, then sign your name. I
am proud to put my name on my
speech.
—Gary W. Funk
•If you think you’re an adult
enough to form an opinion, then
you assume the responsibility to
own it.
—Bud Phillips
•People should not be allowed to
hide behind a computer.
—Pat Humphreys
YES FROM OUR READERS
facebook.com/Costco
NO FROM OUR READERS
facebook.com/Costco
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