Anonymity: A Double-Edged Sword

This past week we've been looking at articles in the room for debate. Gabriella Coleman's article "Anonymity Serves Us All" stood out to me because it actually is very true. I always thought anonymity had more negative than positive effects. The internet granting anonymous status online allows for trolls to harass others and cause aggravation while they remain safe behind a screen. Since victims of cyber-harassment are unable to identify the aggressor, their hopes of retribution is lost, and the troll gets away. To me, I think that anonymity has an insidious nature due to the fact that no one knows when and where a troll comes from. Sadly, freedom of speech protects the trolls for speaking their mind, even when their intent is to cause problems. We may have the right to say, but it doesn't mean it is right to say. On another note, anonymity does empower people who keep their potential discussion topics or words against injustice to themselves to let it out. This is because many people who fear criticism do not want to be recognized by their words. With these pros and cons of anonymity are at hand and hand, the right to privacy should be preserved. Sure it may prevent some trolling, but it will sacrifice speech empowerment.