Week Three - Topic 2a: Identity and Ethics

Is withholding one’s identity ethically wrong?

This is a very broad question as it can be applied to many situations. Firstly there is the issue, similar to the question of should we always use our full name?, of protecting yourself. Providing your full identity can lead to problems so most of the time, especially online where your information is available world wide, it’s best to act carefully and only give parts of your identity out.
Secondly, and most importantly, I think that withholding your identity to the extent that you are actually pretending to be someone else is ethically wrong. Take the example of forums or chat rooms. The idea behind these is to chat amongst ‘like minded people’. This gives the impression that you should be being yourself as you want to communicate with similar people. I personally think that withholding your identity in this situation is ethically wrong as there will be many innocent people genuinely wanting to chat as themselves; I would say that this is deceiving.
Nevertheless, online communication can also be via MUD’s, or software such as Second Life, which are known for their role playing elements. Users themselves can take on a different character and are aware that others can do this also. Technophilic discourse suggests that new technologies such as MUD’s are a salvation in terms of being ‘set free’ online, you can be liberated from real life social constraints which is why some people choose to use these new media. I believe that in these cases, withholding one’s identity is not ethically wrong, as it is an acknowledged fact people are role playing and therefore withholding their real identity.