Agree

Lee Taekyung, School of Business

The ‘Internet real-name system’ is necessary. There are many different kinds of celebrities these days. As an example, if you are famous on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, you can be one of them. However, the more famous we become, the more people criticize and lash out at us.

There are two reasons to support my opinion about the Internet real-name system. First, we can create a respectful Internet culture. People can easily say something harsh to others online. Since we can hide ourselves behind anonymity, we can hurt other people’s feelings freely. Have you seen hateful comments on Internet communities? As I mentioned, the range of influencers is increasing. Tragically, many of them have committed suicide following hurtful comments made by their anti-fans. I agree that freedom of expression is important, but we have to regulate such comments by introducing the real-name system on the Internet. Accordingly, people will think twice about posting thoughtless comments online.

Secondly, we can combat fake news and disinformation efficiently. A lot of people post and spread false information like fake news, rumors, and gossip on their private pages because it is not mandatory to check whether the information they want to post is factual, nor is it necessary to let people know their private information such as their names. To prevent this from happening, we should be required to reveal our identity when we want to post messages or pictures online.

Sadly, cruelty and heartlessness are abundant in our society more than ever. At the same time, the Internet has become another society with its own culture. Every society needs laws to regulate the actions of individuals and organizations. Therefore, making people act responsibly and respectfully online is imperative.

Disagree

Jo Eunbi, School of Business

There are various reasons why I am not a big fan of the ‘Internet real-name system.’ The first major issue I have with the real-name system concerns privacy. It would be like if you had to wear your name on your forehead in real life, which does not sound so appealing. Anonymity on the Internet has its perks. It allows people to share their thoughts, seek help, or vent about something without worrying about personal consequences. With the real-name system, say goodbye to that safety net. You would have to hold back from speaking your mind, even in an online setting where you are not talking to someone face to face; honestly, who would want that kind of restriction? There is also a logistical issue with implementing the real-name system. The Internet is a massive, global playground with billions of users. Verifying all those identities using a real-name system would be a nightmare. It would be like trying to count the grains of sand on a beach.

Not only would it be a logistical nightmare, but it would also raise questions about exceptions. Some folks would need to stay anonymous for their safety or because of the nature of what they do, which may cause more controversy as it would not be fair. On top of that, just because you know someone's real name does not mean they are going to behave like an angel online. People on platforms that have already implemented the real-name system still spread hate and harass others. Holding people accountable for their words is a great idea, but the real-name system is not going to magically fix things or make aggressive people suddenly nice. So, there you have it, these are the reasons why I do not agree with implementing the Internet real-name system. In the end, anonymity on the Internet serves a purpose, and while it can be messy, it is an essential part of online freedom.