Surely it would be an immense task for any lawmaker, attempting to pass a law requiring anyone who contributes to a website to register their real name, address and e-mail address with that site, and nigh impossible to enforce once in place. Trying to regulate the Web under the pretense of preventing bullying, no thanks.

This kind of thing gets a lot of hype in the media, but I'm interested in hearing some opinions nonetheless. :)

I say that anaonymity can be good and bad.
It can be awful in the fact that while trying to enjoy yourself in an online game, or discuss on a forum when a stupid kid comes along and trolls, or spams up voice chat about how it 'roxored your boxors right down to your joxors' or that bullshit <_<

But would a place like the chans work without anonymity?
I mean, it's where some of the funniest stuff on the internets is born, and it can be civil outside of /b/.

The law is unenforceable. People will just base their forums in other countries, or at the very least, the bullies will make their posts on websites in other countries.

How exactly does the US government intend to enforce such a law if the websites are based overseas?

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19

Ah, classic Penny Arcade. The Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory.

Anonymity can engender a more open discussion for people who may feel intimidated in a real life discussion. Yes, this does outline that some people should have more courage in their convictions, but everyone deserves to have their say.

There are forums out there which openly discuss highly sensitive matter - religion, racial issues etc. There are just too many malicious and stupid people out there to warrant exposing your identity to.

If I were to start a blog on why white supremacists are idiots, I personally don't want my true personal details out there... just as a precaution

I voted for Maybe, being anonymous makes it easier to be a jerk

There's way too many idiots out there who post shit after shit in capital letters and overuse of exclamation marks. Sometimes I comment on various gaming websites about things that interest me yet I don't want to sign up for any of their stuff (instead of 'anonymous' I'll use the name 'Adam' or something). Occasionally I'll get a reply to my comment and it makes me feel like I'm keeping the internet a friendly place where people can take other unknown people seriously

Internet Bullying?

Is this not why we have a ban button?

Requiring that they use their full name is not only a serious breach of privacy but also a gateway for identity theft, trolling, and all sorts of things.

It won't prevent Bullying, it'll just excite the flame because the bully will be able to find the person a lot easier on many different sites. I can understand when it comes to purchasing items off the internet, but for just posting? Going a bit far, I think.

That's a good point. It's already easy enough to get people's personal details without having to post your details up for them.

This. The internet without the chans would blow.

Sounds to me, like fake info would make you anonymous anyway, so the website operator would be on the hook, or so it would seem.

Anonymity is essentially the only reason why I adore the Internet. I enjoy chatting to others without the fear of ridicule. I am very much an unsociable person in real life because I get extremely nervous when talking to people face-to-face, so the Internet really helps me in that regard.