Girl On The Net...and other Issues.

I've always taken the internet seriously. That means I always am mindful of what I post, and where. It also means that I post as myself---not an online persona with a screen nick, or a "porn handle". And that makes me unusual. For many, the Net is a great big shiny playground, with no grown ups around to spoil their fun. Ask a true net geek what "Girl" means on the internet. Answer: Guy In Real Life. 

When I first heard that men posted as women online, I was befuddled by it. WHY? In time, that question was answered...and yes, I would prefer NOT to know the answer to that one...too creepy for my taste, thanks. But Facebook is trying to put an end to anonymous accounts, and it brings the question to bear.

Why are people so terrified of admitting who they are?

Again...the answer gets creepy. Because they are living out elaborate fantasy lives...or using the Net to be someone (or something) that they are not. Some have larceny in their hearts. Others shamelessly exploit others, because it's "Just online"...it doesn't count.  But when Phoebe Prince from Boston commited suicide after being hounded by a pack of girls from her high school last year, it counted.  When Tyler Clementi ended his own life after being harassed by his room mate, it counted.

On one hand, I understand why people love to use the net. It fills in gaps in their lives that nothing else could. It's interesting, and it never closes. But if you need anonymity to play...you are also ignoring the fact that on some level you don't WANT to be known for your actions...or your words. I don't post anything online that I refuse to own. I use my real name.

I don't give vital info, like my address, or my phone numbers. I don't post pics that I might regret. (Heck..I don't even TAKE those.) I don't trash talk anyone, nor do I set up dozens of accounts so I can "play". More than anything, I am aware that there are real people online. You might have to sort through a thousand screen fakes to find one...but they are there.

I wish people would give up the idea that online, anything goes. I wish that parents paid more attention to what their children do online...particularly the teens. Of course they are "good kids". But good kids slip. They text and drive, or drink and drive, and it doesn't matter that they didn't mean to harm someone. The damage gets done, and their regret changes nothing for the people involved.

Online is actually a lot like driving, come to think of it. While we have driving laws, there are plenty of people who ignore those. They speed, they weave and cut people off. Most of the time, they get away with it. Sometimes, they get tickets, and sometimes they destroy someone else's life.  Only Online, there are no "laws" to protect the innocent. It's the Autobahn, and people get run over all the time.

I prefer to act online as I do in my life. In own my words, and actions. I avoid the nut jobs who hide behind screen nicks, and elaborate personas. So I'm not getting worried that "anonymous" might go away. I never lived there...so I don't need the address.