The internet is useful for many different things, but there's one purpose it serves that makes the rest pale in comparison. It offers a chance for a fresh start. You can become whoever you'd like, because people can't see through your computer screen. This idea is appealing to most, because they can become anyone they want to be. (Within reason. As much as I'd love to be a Timelord, if I went around saying I'm one, no one would believe me)  But there's always a catch, and this is no exception. Let's investigate the good, the bad, and the ugly of hiding behind a digital mask, shall we?

Many people aren't quite content with their identity. The internet, in our case, Stardoll, offers a chance to change every solitary detail about themselves, if they'd like. If I don't like my name, it's easy enough to say that it's something else. If you don't like the area you live, you can say you're from another part of the world. If that girl over in the corner hides her personality in her real life, she can be herself on Stardoll and no one will have to know what she's like in real life. If the boy in the next room thinks that he should have been born a girl, then he can just register as female and no one will know that he's not being truthful. This is a good thing, for the most part. People are happier knowing that they live without their "flaw" for awhile, even if it's just for a couple hours. It's amazing how much this can affect someone's happiness.

If you live how you'd like, there's still that nasty worry hanging over your head- what if they find out? It deserves to be worried about. You never know how people will react if they find out that Jenny is really Johnny, or that you don't live where you say you do. They may be sympathetic as you explain why you lied like you did, or they may turn their backs on you. It's a risk the masquerading citizens have to take.

It gets worse. There are those who use their powers of disguise or anonymity to show their true selves, the slimy little chunks of malice that are in all of us, hidden away somewhere. They may choose to be cyber-bullies, somehow drawing pleasure from the pain that they know their victims are suffering. They may haunt clubs or throw parties to attempt to get sexual pleasure. I'm not going to try to understand what makes them want to do this at this moment in time, but I can assume that they wouldn't go up to a random person on the street and tell them vulgar things, trying to get them into their bed. This is a trait they share with the cyber-bullies. I've never seen anyone go up to anyone else on the street and then point out every flaw of their physical appearance, and then if their victim gets upset, laugh and call them weak. This is something saved for the internet,  where no one has to know where they really are.

I think that as long as you're not being cruel with your disguises, there's nothing wrong with glossing over some truths about your life. I do it, I've been introducing myself as Pandora. It really doesn't take too much thought to figure out that it probably isn't my real name. I'm not telling anyone my real name. I don't like my name- I think it's dated. And after all, what's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. So, I'm Pandora Vinson. My Stardoll username is Pettiskirt. It's a pleasure to meet you.