Toward a deeper understanding of youth internet use – Contextualizing previous findings into a model of modern anonymity online

Abstract

<p> Youth interaction provided by the Internet, where various levels of user anonymity persist, represents a significant arena for social science research. This article presents a new theoretical perspective on understanding the online setting in which young people are involved, based on research on the effects of anonymity and motivation along with recent work on youth online behavior. This involves a review of the Social Identity model of Deindividuation Effects (SIDE)&nbsp; having to do with an understanding of the effects of anonymity through the lens of identity, in addition to the delving into the tools for understanding youth motivation provided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), concerning individual motivation through the lens of innate needs. SIDE is used to provide background context to the framing of modern anonymity and SDT provides a rationale for an updated understanding of potential online motivations toward consuming social media online along with its anonymous aspects. These two frames are combined with a review of recent findings on youth Internet use toward connecting these previously separate areas of research for the development of a new model of the anonymous online environment in which young people interact. The discussion of these pieces together serves to synchronize the creation of a model through which to approach issues concerning the relationship between Internet anonymity and youth behavior online.</p>