Everyday, people write new usernames and choose new profile pictures, to disguise their true identities. Some people have positive intentions including creating different accounts for creativity or free speech. But some people do create these accounts with negative intentions. Many “creators” can create fake names and accounts to take advantage of other people, or scam other creators.

There are various advantages to hiding your identity on social media,  including being creative without being judged, and exercising your free speech. People of all ages have used a fake name to, ironically, “be themselves,” without people that they know finding their account and ridiculing them. This way it is an escape from life at school or work, and a way to have fun. Peers can be extremely degrading and critical when it comes to the behavior of others, so total or even partial anonymity on social media could also be an escape from potential bullying. Not only can online disguises allow users to use social media creatively, it also allows users to say their true opinions on topics they wouldn’t normally make a comment on. If something like work or peers is preventing a user from fighting against wrongdoing online, they can create an alternate account, but still get their message on the platform. Allowing people to hide behind the screen can create an increase of freedom.

Unfortunately, this sense of freedom also creates the conditions by which social media can be a dangerous place where scams and harm occurs. Those who hack or scam take advantage of innocent people by finding a way into someone’s account and asking their followers for money. They can also take a user’s personal information and gain access to their ApplePay or other monetary apps. It is a violation of privacy, as well as a violation of profit accounts. Unfortunately, there are many people out there who use social media for their malicious intentions including exposure, child harm, and abuse. These users may create a fake account to engage with the accounts of children, posing as someone their age. Once these people interact with the children, they send them inappropriate content or convince them to meet in person. This trickery highlights the dangers of social media and the importance of monitoring a child’s account to make sure they don’t fall victim to any scams.

Overall, there are many advantages and disadvantages to hiding identities online, and proper steps should be taken to avoid fraud. Social media can be a dangerous but beautiful place depending on the way it is used.