Sure, but that’s still anti-social behavior.

The Dark Tetrad And Anonymity

The 2023 study found that individuals with negative and unstable self-perceptions are drawn to anonymity and seek the freedom to take on different personas to satisfy various needs. Individuals struggling with self-consciousness and low self-esteem also prefer to remain anonymous online.

Further, individuals with dark personality traits seem to express malevolent identities from the shadows of anonymity to engage in behaviors that gratify them, but harm others. A 2022 study published in Personality and Individual Differences examined the relationship between online anonymity and the following dark personality traits:

Machiavellianism. Individuals seeking anonymity are high in machiavellianism. This trait is associated with being manipulative and presenting deceptive and adaptable identities online. Digital environments offer people a risk-free opportunity to create personas strategically to achieve iniquitous and self-serving goals.
Psychopathy. A higher level of psychopathy, characterized by antisocial behavior and a lack of empathy or remorse, points to a greater likelihood of presenting an adaptable and inauthentic self online and deceiving others using anonymity.
Sadism. According to the 2023 study, sadism is positively associated with preferring an anonymous presence online to fulfill the need to enjoy others’ suffering, safely from behind a screen.

forbes.com/…/a-psychologist-explains-why-internet…