Decency Quote by Joan D. Chittister
“When I get on the internet and hide behind a false identity, and then allow that hiding to free me from the standards of decency, to begin to use language I would never use in front of my mother, all of a sudden, there's nothing between me and you, but worse than that, there's nothing between me and my worst self.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Anonymous Online Personas, 2015
Adopting a false online identity removes social restraints, revealing our hidden, often darker, selves.
In simple terms: Masking online exposes true self.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how anonymity shapes behavior.
Themes
identity
anonymity
self-awareness
ethics
communication
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- online forums
- social media
- gaming chat
- anonymous comment sections
Key Concepts
psychology
social norms
digital behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How does anonymity affect your honesty?
- What safeguards can limit negative behavior?
A Different Perspective
Anonymity can also enable harmful harassment.
![“I am not a member of the chamber of commerce for show business, believe me, but there are some really good people in the business, and [Tom] Hanks has this everyman decency onscreen, but he actually is that guy.” quote by Kurt Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b01/kurt-fuller-12139_believe_i-am-not-a-member-of-the-chamber-of-comm_68948.jpg)