Anon's on Social Media

(Source)

Last week i wrote an article that was focused on how the holders of public office should go about using social media in a personal capacity. Point number 2 looked at anonymity and accountability, and my view was that one should always avoid anonymity.

Having chatted with an anonymous tweeting friend of mine, @SirIanBlair, i have realised that i have woefully misunderstood and over simplified the issue of anonymity. In doing so i have suggested that all anonymous bloggers and tweeters have something to hide and subsequently offended some people who i admire and respect.

As a failed anonymous blogger, and a reasonably successful 'out' blogger, i have a bias in favour of the latter. I still stand by that, and would advise anyone who holds public office to avoid it. However, i acknowledge that the issue of anonymity is more complex that i suggested in my earlier article.

I hope that @SirIanBlair will take me up on my offer to write a guest article on DJ entitled "Why Ollie was wrong about anonymous bloggers and tweeters", but in the meanwhile i want to hear your views.

What are your views on anonymity in social media? What are the advantages of it? and what are the long term consequences, both good and bad, of being anonymous?