<< PREVIOUS   2 - The anonymity issue   NEXT >>

People are judged by their facial appearance, the way they look or what they are wearing, We find it hard to talk to someone with a facial disfigurement or who is disabled in some way. Our attitude and opinions towards other people without knowing them, causes prejudices to develop and barriers to be built.

One of the striking features of current chat systems is the anonymity that users enjoy. Chatters are generally instructed to create an identity for themselves. Once you access the website, you will usually be required to register by providing some personal information. You are free to use your real name, but many people make up a name. Not only does it conceal your identity, offering you some privacy but, it lets you assume a new identity. It can be similar to role playing, where you can be anyone you want. Therein lies some of the fun, but be aware that other people may not be who you think they are, "Tom" might actually be a girl. When you register, you may also be able to choose a chat persona to represent you in the chat room. These are usually in the form of an image (avatars). These graphics can be anything from a frog to a prince or princess. They give the user the illusion of an enhanced personality.

These humorous graphics can personalize the experience in a small way, and also break the monotony of a text-only screen.