Anonymity in online communication : theoretical and empirical approaches
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| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
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| Citation | |
| Description | This chapter examines the concept of online anonymity within computer-mediated communication (CMC) research, exploring its theoretical, empirical, and methodological foundations. Despite its prominence in CMC as a factor influencing online behaviors, anonymity remains a complex and multidimensional construct, often reduced to simple definitions of identifiability. The chapter discusses key theoretical frameworks, such as the social identity model of deindividuation effects (SIDE) and the online disinhibition effect, which explain how anonymity shapes behavior, from antisocial acts like cyberaggression to prosocial expressions and identity exploration. Empirical research demonstrates that perceived anonymity – distinct from technical anonymity – plays a critical role in user interactions, revealing the need for a more nuanced understanding that accounts for its subjective, continuous, and multidimensional nature. Methodological approaches vary widely, including experimental manipulations, self-report measures, and qualitative analyses, highlighting gaps in operationalizing anonymity. The chapter concludes with directions for future research, emphasizing the importance of perceived anonymity, the multidimensional spectrum of anonymity, and its formation over time in diverse digital contexts. |
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