The person who presents a realistic, positive and useful argument is more acceptable and doesn't need to cover their identity or even use a nickname, but people who are using fake accounts know they have extremist or offensive views. — Image by vectorjuice on Freepik
KUWAIT: Have you ever found yourself attacked on social media by a fake account after commenting on a post or writing a tweet? Or arguing with someone verbally assaulting you after expressing your opinion on a specific issue while using a fake account?
Kuwait Times spoke to professor and journalist Suad Fahad Al-Mojel and discussed the reasons some people do not use their real names while commenting on social media, what makes them attack other users randomly, and how to control this issue.
Mojel said creating fake accounts gives people a false feeling of power and courage that makes them continue their criticism, cursing and attacking without the repercussions that come with direct discussions.
"When they have a direct discussion, they are enforced to commit to boundaries that others draw for them, but having an anonymous identity gives them the opportunity to exceed all the boundaries imposed by social ties," she explained.
"The person who presents a realistic, positive and useful argument is more acceptable and doesn't need to cover their identity or even use a nickname, but people who are using fake accounts know they have extremist or offensive views," Mojel said.
"Digital control is like a dream that we are wishing comes true. We are witnessing an electronic revolution, especially in the matter of social media that is developing rapidly and daily, so any attempt to surround it with controls is an illusion," she said.
"Despite the technological development that many countries are skilled with, they are unable to confront this issue. It is a giant problem that reached in many cases to hack into important international institutes. Therefore, in my point of view, it is almost impossible presently to resolve this problem, but we can work on mitigating its effects so it doesn't grow and become more horrible. That is actually what the world is trying to do," she said.
In a previous report, Mojel spoke about why some people create fake accounts on social media, saying technology has played a big role in influencing people's moods.
"There is total reliance on devices despite our human mind being superior to it. We were controlled by it, and this has created anger, mood swings and nervousness if it doesn't give us what we need," she said.
"Over time, our minds start to act like it, and this reflects it on some people's behaviours, as they unleash their energies through fake accounts, attacking others and being offensive on social media." – Kuwait Times/Tribune News Service
