Although there are many definitions and contexts for the word “naked” according to Dictionary.com, these are the two that truly reflect what I mean in the title:
defenseless; unprotected; exposed
exposed to view or plainly revealed
The internet is a fickle, interesting, and many times, ugly place. So many people use a computer screen as a shield across the immeasurable spaces of the Internet. It gives freedom and power to those who may, in their daily lives, be caged and powerless. Social media has energized a generation and started revolutions. But it also has created a mask for others to hide behind.
How much of your actual self are you putting on the web for others to see and respond to?
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has explained many times that he thinks people should be more open with their information on the web. Ironically enough, I am less open on Facebook than I am on Twitter. Why? Because I am “friends” with over 600 people, mostly those I went to high school with. I don’t post things that are controversial on Facebook because my list is filled with people of different backgrounds and ideologies and I don’t enjoy having negativity on my Facebook page. In addition, I know many of these people in real life, and their opinions matter more to me than a random Twitter user who found me because of a hashtag. My Facebook persona is very different from my Twitter persona, for better or for worse.
Social media has further elevated the average internet user to magnify the personality traits that a person wants to showcase while downplaying flaws. The same people who raise hell and write hurtful comments on the Internet might shrink into a corner if faced with a real life confrontation. The allure of anonymity is heightened because the computer screen doesn’t judge what you type on the page.
I have grown up with the Internet and have made some pretty terrible choices in regards of what to reveal and what to keep to myself. Because of my behavior in the past, I have jeopardized friendships and relationships. I didn’t understand the balance between being yourself on the web and losing yourself within it.
An excuse that consistently makes me cringe is, “It is only the Internet”. The Internet itself is not a free pass for rude behavior. Regardless of whether it is the Internet or a face to face encounter, there is still a person on either side of the situation. It is easy to get caught up in that mindset because of the constant noise that we endure in our lives, online and off. But the Internet should be used to enrich our lives, not make them more miserable. Spend time interacting with the people with whom you can be yourself with and less time misrepresenting yourself to build your confidence.
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