Once upon a time, the internet was completely anonymous. With the advent of Social Networks and especially Facebook, that has changed. Could 2014 be the year that anonymity makes a big comeback? Apparently, yes.
The internet as we knew it
Older users will remember the times when anonymity through the use of pseudonyms dominated everywhere on the internet. In forums, in various chat rooms, in general in all (almost) discussions. This gave users more freedom of expression and less responsibility for what they said. Of course, this encouraged some users to use their false identity for malicious purposes, such as for cyber bullying.
The internet in the post-Facebook era
Facebook started the trend and Google followed suit with the use of branded users on Google+ and YouTube. Over 1 billion users now post content using their first and last names, always mindful of the consequences this may bring and being naturally cautious about what they post and what they choose to keep to themselves.
By doing a Google search with a user's name, it is often easy to form an opinion about the user's beliefs and character. Especially if the user does not protect their personal data on the various Social Networks in which they participate under their name.
Are we heading towards a more branded internet than ever in the coming years? Probably not..
The internet returns to anonymity
With the arrival of 2014, I had written an article about Whisper, the surprise Social Network of 2014. As the days of the new year pass, various events come to reinforce the view that the new trend of the era is the return to anonymity.
It's not just Whisper, which allows messages to be posted by anonymous users under pseudonyms and its billion pageviews. It's also Secret, an app that posts messages to any of a user's phone contacts who use the app, again anonymously. It's also Instagram, which although owned by Facebook, still allows users to be anonymous. It doesn't impose a brand name on them. It's also Snapchat, which allows messages to be sent anonymously and the messages are even deleted shortly after they're viewed.
Even Facebook has understood that young users, in particular, seek anonymity so that they can behave more carefree on the internet, since they often resort to it to relax and have a good time. Mark Zuckerberg stated that the applications that Facebook is preparing for mobile devices in 2014 will allow anonymous use.
The conclusion
Branding has become tiresome for many. What seems to follow in the coming months is less engagement with Social Networks like Facebook or Google+ and more engagement with mobile applications that enhance anonymity and are constantly popping up in the various App Stores.
Source: digitallife.gr
