Learn English meaning of ‘online identities’

Date: Dec 27 2017

Intro

The internet is an entirely different world than real life. We can talk to whoever we want and tell stories on social media, which is awesome! Sadly, there are many bad things about it. Since people have anonymity, they don’t own up to what they say. Sometimes, they will use hate speech. These people might be low key in real life—but on the internet, they have the audacity to say some mean things.

Vocab

social media n.

Definition

Example Even my mom has started using social media. She has her own blog!

anonymity n.

Definition

Example We have a lot of anonymity on the internet. We can talk and people don't even know who we are.

audacity n.

Definition

Example I can't believe they have the audacity to push in front of other people.

low key expr.

Definition

Example Last night was crazy so I'd like to do something low key tonight.

own up to expr.

Definition

Example As an adult, you have to own up to your mistakes.

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Quiz

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Discussion

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Do you feel like you have a different identity on the internet? Should people own up to the mean things they say?

Comments

ola3

Ukraine

Hate speech can be subjective. For someone it’s offensive, for someone, it’s not. And it’s a freedom of speech to believe in what you believe and express it in your own way. What’s wrong with it?

The thing is, if you own it up, you can lose your job. People are afraid to speak up in real world. They say sth, and the media is the first one that will attack the freedom of speech lovers. And media is the killer, has its own insult, hate speeches, lies…

People who express themselves on the internet are fed up with being silent with bottled up feelings and thoughts. That’s why they chose Trump who is not afraid to say.

La Princesse de la vie

Egypt

I don’t pretend to be someone else on the internet. I see no point in hiding your identity to express things you can’t do in real life. I think it reflects cowardness more than audacity.

Of course people should take responsibility for whatever they say or do. However, because that happens a lot to me, you can sometimes say something you don’t really mean and you own up to that when you get things fixed and apologise to people.

ml2000

Canada

There are lots of scams on social media—people pretend to be someone and cheat others. That stems from the anonymity people have on the internet, besides, those scammers don’t own up to what they have said. If you come across someone who seems suspicious, blow him off and block him right away to avoid from being a potential scam victim.