Why we Behave Differently Online

John Suler, 2001 - The Disinhibition Effect

• We don't know or see the people we are communicating with.
• They don't know or see us.
• Communication is instant without rules or accountability.
• Takes place in what feels like an alternative reality.

Communicating online removes visual cues (i.e. facial expressions), and makes conversations abstract and anchorless.

Side note: Personality traits are accentuated online - people are less constraint by real life social norms and societal expectations.