Could Anonymous Users Cause Malicious Commenters? The Answer Is "They're Just Bad People"

Analysis of Over 8,000 Samples
Weak Correlation Between Anonymity and Violence
Minority of Malicious Commenters Overrepresented and Visible

Does the anonymity of the internet encourage human aggression?

[Image source=Pixabay]

Some online forums have introduced an 'Internet Real-Name System' to prevent malicious comments, while others have even closed comment sections on posts or news articles altogether. Participants in online spaces often seem much more aggressive than in real life.

However, a study analyzing a sample of about 8,000 internet users has drawn attention by concluding that "the internet does not influence human aggressiveness." The reason internet users appear aggressive is an illusion caused by the visibility of some users who were already aggressive to begin with.

The study was published in the American Political Science Review. The research team examined a total of eight related studies to investigate whether human psychology changes in online environments. The total number of participants in the behavioral experiments reached 8,434.

Through the sample, the research team investigated △ whether online environments influence human behavior △ whether they create severe biases △ and whether they skew people's perceptions.

However, the results concluded that people's behavior does not significantly change whether in reality or in online environments.

In other words, so-called "trollers" (users who continuously post malicious comments online) are likely to be individuals with antisocial tendencies in real life as well. The research team concluded, "People who are aggressive online are equally aggressive in real life."

The Internet Does Not Make People Evil... But 'Malicious Commenters' Opinions Stand Out

'Malicious comments' and 'trolling' are representative forms of harassment in online spaces.

The culture of malicious comments in online spaces has long been recognized as a social problem. Especially regarding specific issues related to politics and entertainment, the frequency and severity of online malicious comments intensify. In South Korea, comment sections on online portals have been closed due to 'malicious comment attacks' targeting certain celebrities, entertainers, and athletes.

However, experts point out that the online environment itself is not strongly related to antisocial behavior.

Alexander Bo, the author of the study, explained, "Why are online discussions more hostile than real-life discussions? People argue that human psychology is adapted to 'face-to-face interactions,' and that anonymity causes worse behavior. But the evidence supporting this hypothesis is very limited," he said.

He added, "Instead, aggressive online discussions result from a small number of individuals who are aggressive both online and in real life. Because online discussions are more visible than in reality, the online environment may simply feel more hostile."

In other words, due to the internet's unique rapid information transmission, a small number of malicious commenters have gained greater social influence. Bo also pointed out that persistent malicious commenters tend to 'dominate' online discussions. Ordinary online users who do not persistently post malicious comments usually get bored of the discussions quickly and leave the forums.