This document discusses the positive and negative aspects of online anonymity. It provides the example of Queen's U Compliments, an anonymous Facebook page where students posted kind words that spread positivity and helped mental health awareness on campus. However, it also notes that anonymity can enable cyberbullying, which has been linked to teen suicides and can cause anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness in victims. It emphasizes that how we choose to use our online anonymity, either to spread good or enable bullying, is up to our responsibility and choice.

1. “The G o o d”
“The B a d”
and
“The u g l y”
Online Anonymity
of
By: Karen Wonchala
Photo Credit: Juliana Coutinho

2. The power to speak our minds can be both a
B l e s s i n g and a C u r s e
It is [how] we choose to use this power that
will determine [the outcome].

3. O n l i n e A n o n y m i t y :
“The G o o d”
Photo Credit: Philwatson

4. “At a time
when cyber-
bullying
makes
national
headlines,
It’s rare
that online
anonymity is used for G O O D.” – Victoria Andrews
Source: Ryan Mallough, Flattery Gets you Everywhere
Photo Credit: Elyse Burt

5. However,
when used
wholesomely,
the effects
of online
anonymity
can be
E X T R A O R D I N A R Y Photo Credit:
Elyse Burt

6. “ You are b e a u t i f u l ”
“ You are i m p o r t a n t ”
“ You are o n e o f a k i n d ”
Photo Credit: Alexander

7. In September 2012, Facebook users across
Queen’s campus were struck with the
phenomenon of
Queen’s U Compliments
Photo Credit: Hilbert 1958

8. Queen’s U
Compliments is an
online Facebook
page allowing
students across
campus to post
anonymous
[compliments] and
words of [support]
to one another.
Photo Credit: Chimchar458

9. The page was inspired by
the campus wide push
towards
Anti-Bullying
and
Mental Health
Awareness
Source: John Bowman of CBC News, Your Community Blog Photo Credit: Steffy

10. “ It really m a k e s your day when you
get a compliment...
Sometimes I think it saves people’s
s a n i t i e s.”
-Victoria Andrews
Source: Ryan Mallough, Flattery Gets You Everyywhere
Photo Credit: Adelle Rae Taylor

11. The love and
support
Queen’s U
Compliments
brought to
the campus
has now
spread to a
remarkable
130 schools
across the
globe.
Source: Ryan Mallough, Flattery Gets You Everywhere
Photo Credit: Grafixar

12. The theory behind this?...
“It’s about being a supportive person
without expecting anything back.”
- Amanda Smurthwaite
Photo Credit: Adelle Rae Taylor
Source:Ryan Mallough, Flattery Gets You Everywhere

13. Online Anonymity: “T h e B a d”
Cyber- Bullying
“you are worthless”
“you are a coward”
“everybody hates you”
“you have no friends”
Photo Credit: Jdurham

14. In the
wrong
hands,
online
anonymity
can have
D e t r i m e n t a l E f f e c t s…
Photo Credit: MConnors

15. Photo Credit: sera_leaving
Children and teenagers that are
bullied are likely to experience
Anxiety
from the effects of
being victimized.
depression
loneliness
unhappiness

16. “The
psychological
and emotional
outcomes of
cyber
bullying are
similar to
those of
real-life
bullying.
The difference is, real-life bullying often
ends when school ends. For cyber bullying,
there is NO ESCAPE.”
Source:DoSomething.org, 11 Facts About Cyber Bullying
Photo Credit: MConnors

17. So, why do it?
Why bully online?
What is the motive?
The answer…
A N O N Y M I T Y
Photo Credit: JustCola

18. Photo Credit: Mantasmagorical
The anonymity
of technology
allows
individuals to
hide behind
their personal
attacks against
others via the
social network.

19. While someone may feel uncomfortable bullying
someone in person,
bullying someone anonymously online can seem
easy and less harmful, because it's not
FACE-TO-FACE
Photo Credit: PublicDomainPictures

20. Photo Credit: Ansonn
The Ugly:
When
Cyber-
Bullying
Escalates

21. Those who
hide behind
technology to
bully,
put down,
and insult
fail to see the
effects they
have on those
they
victimize
Photo Credit: Jxdx

22. 78% of adolescents who committed suicide last year
were bullied at school and online, with 17 %17 % being
targeted online only.online only.
17%17%
17%17%
Photo Credit: The666Deal
Source: Red Orbit, Cyberbullying Rarely Sole Factor in Teen Suicides

23. Although not all cases of cyber-bullying lead
to the travesty of suicide,
Although not all cases of cyber-bullying lead
to the travesty of suicide,
effects on the overall well-beingclearit has
Of the victimized...
Photo Credit: Rools

24. With this in
mind, it is
our
responsibility
[to choose]
how we will
use our online
anonymity
[wisely] Photo Credit: Cohdra

25. So, Which will you choose?
The g o o d ?
The b a d ?
or
The u g l y ?
Photo Credit: Alvimann

26. Credits
All images are licensed under the Creative
Commons Non-Commercial Share-Alike 3.0
agreement, and sourced from Flickr
and MorgueFile

27. Sources
Photo Credit: Alvimann
http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/02/11/flattery-gets-you-
everywhere/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2012/12/queens-
university-facebook-page-sparks-anonymous-compliments-
trend.html
http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-cyber-
bullying
http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1112717539/teen-suicides-
cyberbullying-102212/