This brave new world of connecting one to many, many to many, and many to one, has its pros and cons, of course. We support and promote the pros here at PSA for the most part, but it’s necessary to occasionally note the cons of online communication, in order that we might route around potholes and sinkholes.
First, online security has proved extremely vulnerable to hacking, and it doesn’t seem to be getting better anytime soon. Second, there’s something about being anonymous that brings out the worst in some people. Third, in order for a collaborative learning environment to really work best, those involved need to feel a sense of security.
To engage with others openly has risks, and it’s the job of those who design Social Learning Constructs to minimize the risks and maximize the possibilities for frank and open dialogue. Some have said that the anonymity of the web was a mistake, and that all those going online should have their “real identity” publicly connected with their online access. IOW, anonymity online should be unlawful.
That’s problematic, but perhaps we are going to need to do it.
This article in Time on Trolling today makes an indirect but strong case that we will either have to do that, or become immune to the personal attacks currently occurring. Since the point of trolling is to find others vulnerability, and to press on that button until something gives, it seems doubtful that we can become immune. IOW, whatever we learn to handle, some new way to “get to us” will be invented.
If trolls had to expose their own personal identity, and be liable for criminal behavior online, that would likely greatly reduce the problem…just as having the police driving around town reduces crime to a certain extent because of the threat of getting caught.
[gview file=”https://publicservicesalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/How-Trolls-Are-Ruining-the-Internet-TIME.pdf”]