Computer Frauds?
By Darkwing
@Darkwing (21583)
May 11, 2007 11:46pm CST
How is it that several people on the Internet, when not having to show their identity, act like they're something they're not?I know people on here disguising who they are... not very effectively in some cases, and acting like somebody they are not. For instance, they disguise their age, just so that nobody will recognise them as any more than some bit of a kid, they put up some sort of bravado which is uncharacteristic of their real selves, and some are just plain abusive and stupid.
Why is that... is it an outlet, or what?
3 people like this
9 responses
@mummymo (23706)
•
12 May 07
Do you think that perhaps they are living out a fantasy and behaving in a way they would never be able to in real life! I think many of them are trying to hide their insecurities and make themselves feel big and brave whilst in reality they are only making themselves look silly! To be honest I pity such people - I would hate to not be able to be myself either in real life or here with my mylot friends!! xxx
3 people like this
@kathy77 (7485)
• Australia
12 May 07
Hi Honey, Oh unfortunately people on the internet do not have to prove who they are or how old they are so the ones that do not tell us the truth and try to hide behind false identies and are uncharacteristic they are fakes to me. Well if they are abusive or stupid then do not let them get to you just ignore them as they say ignorance some times is bliss.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
12 May 07
Well Darkwing these are probably also the People that are being spiteful and trying to ruin a good Site
I want to know as well why they are doing it and what the point is but I can't see any of them coming forward and telling us
@Darkwing (21583)
•
13 May 07
No, sweetie, it's not you. The particular reference is to nobody in Mylot. Although there are possibly one or two in here who hide behind their avatars and do nothing but cause trouble, Mylot is full of really genuine and pleasant people. Love and hugs x
1 person likes this
@anonymili (3138)
•
15 May 07
I guess it's total insecurity with who they really are that makes people disguise themselves on here. Or it could be that they are using myLot from work and don't want anyone figuring out who they are or they know other people who use myLot and don't want them to know that they are also on here. At the end of the day, people use chat rooms, forums, consumer review sites for many different reasons, some people just do so to get away from the boredom or hassles of their real life. By acting like someone they aren't they feel they get some sort of release from their real life and just maybe their childish behaviour we may see portrayed on here is wishful thinking on their part about how they'd like to act in real life but are unable to? Or they were unable to misbehave when growing up as their parents were too strict so they're letting it all out on the net?
As you suggest, it's an outlet, we shouldn't hate them, we should try to understand them or at least just pity them somewhat :) x
@Darkwing (21583)
•
15 May 07
A great and understand response, Anonymili. I agree that in most cases, or harmless cases, it's insecurity and want of release from the boredom and hassle of real life. The person I mention possibly had good reason for this, but still, it was a shock for me, and upset me greatly to discover that they were doing this. They were someone I looked up to and respected and the discovery just knocked a little dent into that respect. However, I managed to get my head around it in the end, and put it behind me without mention. Life goes on, with or without them, and sometimes you value them to much to walk away through something like this.
However, having said all that, there are some who just plain prey on children and women in particular, for bad reasons... and I mean really bad, warped reasons. These, I will never understand, nor pity. I would perhaps pray that they discover the error of their ways and correct them, but I could never accept the act of a pedophile for instance, nor a rapist.
Thank you for your response and Brightest Blessings, my dear friend.
1 person likes this
@anonymili (3138)
•
3 Aug 07
Thanks for the BR on this hun. I do agree that there really are some sickos out there who prey on innocent youngsters online and also those who prey on people who are lonely or single pretending that they really care about them when really they want an illicit relationship. I say people as I know of guys who've been fooled by women online saying they're single and available and letting these guys, often the sort of guys who are too shy to chat women up in real life, believe they're available when they are just looking for a bit of a flirtation outside of their marriage or relationship. Of course I also know several women who have met up with guys in real life thinking they were single and looking for a relationship when really all they want is a one night stand or similar. People who go after kids need to be hung, drawn and quartered! x
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
12 May 07
I am 6 like how you are 26. Why won't people believe me?
Stop calling me a fraud alright! :P
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 May 07
You honestly got me confused. When I first "knew" you, I kept thinking you were 26. Then you began to talk about your children, grandchildren and I thought I read wrongly. So I skipped them then you keep posting about them now that I am certain you are not 26. :P
You wrecked my brain thinking about it. Meanie.
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
13 May 07
Wizzy, for the life of me, I can't think why you thought I was 26. You are funny! You told me your age but I don't remember ever telling you mine, and my profile says I'm 6! What IS this age thing with you, anyway... you're the same person to me you always were, and a special one at that! Forget 26!!! ha ha ha
2 people like this
@kayrod2 (1304)
• Australia
13 May 07
It makes you wonder, doesnt it? It has never bothered me if people know how old i am, or things about me, unless i feel they are personal things that are private. But i dont like putting my picture on things. I hate having my photo taken, and displayed. Maybe people think they can hide behind falseness. I am always trying to explain to my kids how people can appear to be someone they arent on the internet, and that is how they can get information out of you. Some are very good at it, and it is quite scary.
Best wishes to you, darkwing.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
13 May 07
I totally agree with you, Kay and I'm really glad you have repeatedly warned your kids, because they are the most easily led in these situations, females being predators as well as males. You can't separate the two.
I think I'm old enough and wise enough now, to know basically who I can trust and I make friends quite easily. However, I am alert all the time in the early stages, because I know this sort of thing can happen. You and I have the ability to deal with a sticky situation if we come across one, but kids aren't so astute. They trust that people are telling them the truth because that's the way they've been brought up, to trust that if they tell the truth then others will be truthful with them. But, on here, that doesn't always follow. If a person is bad, they will use the Net as their hunting ground. There was a twelve year old in a forties' Pogo Room one night, chatting away, telling her age and everything. I grabbed her attention quickly and kind of "babysat" them. She lived with her 19 year old cousin who was at work, and she was on the internet, with only fourteen year old as company in the apartment. I stayed with her till she left, despite wanting to go to bed, and that's only one instance.
I'd better not write another book as I did with Vanilla, but instead, thank you for your response, Kay. Brightest Blessings on you and your family, my friend. x
1 person likes this
@Adrenochrome (1653)
•
19 May 07
I swear Darkwing, it's not a vanity thing, I am really still only 39 till October! This is not just re-iteration, it's a warning that my responses during August and September may take on a disturbing moroseness, sense of overwhelming nostalgia, and Armageddonesque stygian gloom!
By the end of October, phrases such as 'when I were a lad', and 'kids nowadays, they don't know their born' & 'I remember the war'!
Honestly, I suspect some people become the person they wish they were, rather than being happy just being themselves. It's a shame, because they should be trying to become that person, if unhappy with themselves. Or even better, just be happy with themselves! Oh! and by the way, my avatar is a true-likeness, just not of me. You may be familiar with him, the happiness dragon 'Chorlton' from 'Chorlton and the Wheelies'. He seemed appropriate, as he has a strange array of facial expressions, a Mancunian accent, and is wider at the bottom than the top. I, too, have these characteristics!
All the best, my friend, and keep up the good discussions, whilst ignoring the fools and abusive users. They're not worthy of your effort or thoughts.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
19 May 07
Your sense of humour will keep you young, my friend, whatever age you are. Yes, remember Chorlton, lol and I'm sure you do yourself down just a little but hey, it's not what's on the outside that counts, and age is just a number, so chin up!
Thank you for amusing me yet again. I seem to spend a lot of my time chuckling lately. ha ha ha
@Darkwing (21583)
•
20 May 07
Yes, here's to many more years and many more laughs together, Adren.
There's a rumour the sun's coming out in Manchester??? Cripes... I never heard of such a thing! te he he.
It was out here today, almost all day, but it was windy, after lunch. lol... and I do mean OUTside before you say anything! All in all though, it hasn't been a bad day, and hoping it'll last till Bank Holiday weekend. Great hub by the way... I like to read about Lileth and you added that in. Well done... must have taken ages to write!
Brightest Blessings on you, my friend.
@Adrenochrome (1653)
•
19 May 07
Thank you, Darkwing, that's a great compliment. I don't think there is much better in life, than to make someone else feel happy, and to share a laugh.
Here's to many more years, and many more shared laughs.
All the best, and have a lovely weekend (I've even heard a rumour the sun might come out!).
@complexvanilla (653)
• India
13 May 07
I haven't come across anybody who have deliberately fudged their ages, or haven't come to recognize those of them that have been doing it, but I guess that is something perfectly acceptable. As for why they would want to do something like that, I think that it is only on account of their immaturity. They probably feel that they will get more acceptance if they try to pass themselves off as somebody much older. It is hardly something that is restricted to online identities, you know. People do it offline too, all the time. There is a joke that girls use make up to seem older, sooner while their mothers use it to appear younger, longer!!! This is just the way it is!
@Darkwing (21583)
•
15 May 07
No I agree not all are rotten apples. The majority of people on here are genuine, caring people, honest to the end, and I've made a lot of sincere friends, but as you say, there are the ones to be wary of.
As for the discovery of the friend telling lies... this was and still is a pretty close relationship, and I came to the conclusion that they were unable to project themselves in this way, in real life, so they put up a false image, in order to release some of the traits they felt unable to in the eyes of others... so... I put that behind me. It was traumatic, and I've cried many a tear over it, but in the end, the good in this person outweighed the bad. They are understand, gentle and great conversational company, so I decided not to bring the subject to the fore. It has stopped now... I think they know I discovered the misdemeanors without my mentioning the fact. lol.
Thank you for your response, Vanilla. I value your input... Brightest Blessings, my friend.
1 person likes this
@complexvanilla (653)
• India
13 May 07
Whoops! I made a boo-boo!!! I did not mean that their actions are acceptable. I only meant that such actions are commonplace. The word acceptance was playing on my mind (these people mostly fudge their ages to gain acceptance) and so, the word acceptable must have popped out!! Maybe I should stop taking on discussions today and just grab some roasted cashew nuts and sit down in front of the telly!!!!!
Love,
CV.
@complexvanilla (653)
• India
14 May 07
Awww! You are more than welcome to use me as a sounding board. What are friends for, afterall? I did feel real bad for that poor creature who had such a horrid experience with the online contact of hers. Such monsters do exist, but fortunately, not everyone out there is like that. As for you finding out that a person you knew for sometime is also a perpetrator of lies, it much have been pretty traumatic, but you can move on, I'm sure. There are rotten apples in every basket, but it hardly means that all apples are bad, now does it?
TC & God bless,
CV.
1 person likes this
@mlgb_24 (638)
•
18 May 07
good question. i think because they don't want to be responsible for their actions or words or discussions. sometimes you can't blame them as well, as they might have had a bad experience with internet before that's why they are cautious about revealing their own identity. but i hope that once they have made friends on the net, they would eventually reveal their true selves as well.
