There’s a simple way to curb the trolls – end their anonymity
By Adrian Chiles Thu 11 Apr 2019
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/11/simple-way-to-curb-trolls-end-anonymity-adrian-chiles
Free speech allows people to have their say, within reason, but it doesn’t
guarantee their right to hide their identity
You meet the most fascinating people in football. At the English Football
League awards this week, I ended up in the hotel bar with an eminent figure in
the football industry, who is no less eminent in his field of work outside the
game.
We got talking about social media. He lamented the damage that relentless
trolling does to the game. My friend has a simple solution: do away with online
anonymity.
He advocates forcing social media companies to make those who use their
platforms do so as themselves, their identities authenticated by means of bank
account details or whatever other means it takes.
I am no great believer in the existence of simple solutions for anything, but
this seems like a good start to me.
Looking at a definition of free speech on Amnesty International’s website, I
see nothing about the right to anonymity. To me this says that you have the
right, within reason, to opine as you see fit, and that is no small thing. But
you should do so, as far as possible, in your own name.
Plainly, whistleblowers and those with jobs on the line in sensitive areas –
doctors, teachers, soldiers and so on – need some kind of pass on this one. But
if the trolls want to troll, it seems a fair bargain to demand that they put
their born names to their bile.
It might even protect us all from the temptation to give vent to the very worst
thoughts we all (well, me anyway) have hatching in the darkness of our souls.
Otherwise, we would end up not being true to our social selves. But where does
a human’s true-self lie? I hope it’s the version with that human’s name on it.
If it’s not, we are all doomed.
Cheers,
Stephen
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