how " real" are you online?

so I was talking this afternoon to this person (just on a game I play), and he was telling me he enjoyed creative writing.

the conversation moved forward, and I asked him where he was from.

he said he couldn't tell me, he never tells his location or his name online- and I'm like oh that's okay, I guess you like to keep yourself to yourself?

he said yes, that's right, what about you- and I told him that I was the oppositte, had nothing to hide and didn't mind giving out my location and name online.

what about all of you?

how much of your " real personality" do you discuss online?

what do you feel okay about sharing and what's off limits?

I was going to say I never, EVER give my real name or location to people online. Then I realize I've done both with people I trust here at PC. Even then I only give limited info. It takes a long time for me to have enough trust to share even limited info. I've been burned in the past. I was cyber-stalked at one point. The person had me convinced they knew my physical location. Scared the holy crap out of me. Since then I am very guarded about what I share.

I feel I'm pretty real online, but am also very cautious. I don't, however, mind sharing my first name online (Mike) because there are about 100,000,000 Mikes in the world.

I'm usually pretty honest online to a point. I never give my full name except to those I trust and I don't go around posting pics or vids of myself. I also no longer use my full name when signing up for emails and stuff because like lizardlady mentioned I too have been cyber-stalked at one time and it's a very frustrating and nerve racking thing to have to put up with. My stalker was a sociopath and narcissist whom he and I'm guessing his entire clique totally ruined an email service that I was using at the time by hacking into it somehow and on top of that he sent viruses to my yahoo mail account, hacked me nephew's email account and who knows how many other family members' personal information and I had to get all new email accounts when I finally did get back online later plus I had to wipe out my hard drive and do a complete re-install of win xp because that's what I was using at the time. I don't like to lie even online and used to be 100% honest whenever I signed up for emails and services. Now I am careful not to reveal too much info. It's better to be safe than to be sorry.

I'm quite real online. I 'say' the same things I would IRL. I wouldn't give out my full name on a forum, but I think that's just common sense.

Oh, I was thinking how much of my true self I share online. I'm very different online than I am in the real world. I'm more open to arguments online when in person I avoid saying anything to hurt feelings. My emotions tend to run high online when in real life I keep my feelings to myself. But I'm open to sharing about my life online. I find it here I can share more details of my personal life because I know no one, but on Facebook I don't like to check in at places, or I will update after I leave.

Yeah, I've been thinking that I'd like to be more discrete, but there's a lot of places, for example the many different Google services, that insist on obtaining and sharing your real name and other personal information... I guess it's sort of cool if you're already a public person (or aspire to be) (because people are going to get that one way or another)... I guess if you're a quiet person like me it doesn't really matter, because nobody would care for my personal information anyway... Apart from, obviously, criminals.

Personality wise I'm the same online as in person. No holding back.

Security wise I'm not as good as I should be.

I'm cautious but at least on PC I'm very open about who I really am.

I am very open with my personality online, and I am as real as can be, I have no problem revealing my first name (Lynn) and where I am from (New York), and age (37). But I think for the most part that its as far as it goes. I mean to have a conversation and get deep with someone online they really don't need to know more than that.

I have had issues before like others have said, with my blog especially, so you always have to be careful who you share your personal information with. Being cautious is mandatory these days, mostly because of all the cyber-stalking and scary situations. But personality wise? There is no harm in being your true self online.

I'm cautious never use real names except for my cat.....he's not likely to give anything away. I'm more relaxed on PC than I used to be.

The only places I really ever go on the internet, are Evilbay and facebook. Facebook has my name plastered right on it. Not really worried about it, I can take care of myself, if the need arises.

I am quiet about real life info, but 100% honest about everything else.

Im me here & on FB the only places I post online. FB has all my info but only available to friends I KNOW as we have a local group activities we keep up with there. I only give my state, first name, & age here because I live in a small town but even with that, a friend from way back in college & I recognized each other at the same time here even with what little information is provided.

I think it's a confidence thing
I think people do that because online they are more hidden, when in reality if they did it to someone they could totally ruin your life.

just a thought

I went back and re-read what I said before. Feel like I need to clarify. I'm very cautious about sharing information that would identify me in the outside world. In terms of what I say/share in posts that's pure me. I'm a what you see is what you get kind of person at PC and in "real" life. Well, I can swear like a sailor in "real" life, but the language filter here won't let me.

PC is the only place where I show my true personality. Even more 'real' than in the real world. So, by personality, I'm real. Not the identity though. I refuse to tell my real name. I ever shared my location (country), but only twice. Admittedly, I don't feel comfortable to share that too. I don't want people to misuse my identity... Or someone that I know in real world find out about my MI.

Aside from PC, I'm even more secure. I never tell about my thoughts or true personality. I never tell my real name, age, gender, or location, unless it is the jobseeking websites or social media.

I don't know. It;;s a good point. But a moo point. People can find you no matter how hard you hide. If there are things that make you unique, personality wise, then it's really a choice of between choosing to live a lie or expressing yourself.

I have been told through my life that i am " mysterious ", i suppose that will be true however i am not the kind of person who wants to be the center of attention. I am known to be very inquisitive because i truely am interested in who you are IF you ask me questions about myself i will answer them. What you see is what you get. In terms of "online" there are a few who know my real name, what i do for a living and the Province i live in. I would like to think i am very cautious about my personal safety online.

Great question btw

This sums it up for me. I feel free to discuss my issues here, but in real life there are few people I can go into specific detail with, depending on the situation. I am always nervous about identity theft etc so I try be careful with that stuff.

I'm pretty real with my life except location and name, of course. I did mention once that I grew up in St. Louis but that's it. I tend to talk incessantly about my hair which is beginning to thin. I am letting it grow and slicking it back like Gordon Gekko because I got some hair gel in my stocking for Christmas. I used to look like James Caan but unfortunately, I now look more like a fat version of Klaus Meine without the money or the chicks. Now that's real, baby!

no..........

i'm trying to be 100% open but its difficult when i've been shutting people out my entire life.

Personality and personal information are two different things. One can be highly and honestly personable and still remain private. One does not necessitate the other. I consider myself quite real online and yet I try not to reveal information that may identify me. For instance on here I made what to me was a ghastly mistake by accidentally releasing my location recently.

Wow! Great Question! When we have the "PC Golden Globes" I'm casting my Vote for Shattered Sanity as The Most Creative Posts! ;-)
I'm pretty much what you see is what you get type of character online & offline! I love to laugh, am a closet introvert, Virgo, introspective and playfully mischievous (in a good way of course! However, I avoid putting my real name and other identifying info out there...except of course that's actually moi in my profile pics! So pullleeeze don't go tellin on me! Haha!