In the future, will internet users still be anonymous?

Much of the antisocial behavior we see online comes as a direct result of the anonymous nature of most websites and apps.

Consequences for antisocial behavior can’t exist beyond the platform unless a real world identity is linked to it in some way. Many of the troubles with social media lies in fake accounts, and the fact that some people just can’t make that connection between their online behavior and the real world, even when using their real name. E-commerce has elements of anonymous and non-anonymous transaction – to the benefit and peril of consumers.

It seems to me that over time, the trend should be towards non-anonymous spaces. A single universal online profile, directly tied to a government ID number, hopefully used in accordance with well thought out laws and regulations, that every reputable website will use, seems likely.

I’m sure there will always be a space for anonymous activity, but those spaces would start to become scary and disreputable to the general public, and corporate money would flow into the “safe” net.

What do you think? Too Orwellian to ever support? Inevitable? Only for the rich?