Anonymity Phenomenon in Base FWB (Friends with Benefits) On Twitter and Motivation for Freedom of Sexual Expression

Aug 22, 2026

Anonymity on Twitter is examined as an environment shaped by secrets, hidden identities, and masked personality, producing a “loss of identity” through the removal of names and addresses. The study explains how anonymity enables alter accounts and supports the FWB (friends with benefits) base model, where themed reposts attract aligned followers. It also analyzes anonymity as a double-edged tool: identity protection versus potential social deviance and hostility, with discussion informed by contrasting expert views.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Anonymity on social media and its characteristics

Competing viewpoints on anonymity

Twitter accounts and anonymous identity practices

FWB concept and anonymous base interactions

Research intent and context

Anonymity Phenomenon in Base FWB (Friends with Benefits) On Twitter and Motivation for Freedom of Sexual Expression Intan Ayu Dewintya Kirana Universitas Indonesia [intan.ayu12@ui.ac.id](intan.ayu12@ui.ac.id) Abstract Anonymity has become a thing that is often found on social media today. Anonymity refers to an environment that involves secrets, hidden identities, and masks of personality. Anonymity is characterized by the "loss of identity" that results from the removal of certain elements such as names and addresses (Wallace, 1999). It is a topic that is often discussed since communication is carried out by the Internet. HAI magazine once conducted a survey of teenagers. As a result, 46% of the 300 teenagers surveyed apparently had a second account which they referred to as an alter account (Rini & Manalu, 2019). There are several reasons why they create alter accounts, among others, to follow things that are not worthy of being followed by the original account, stalking other people without being caught, and so that they can be more expressive –something they can't do on the original account because of a sense of prestige- . The type base that an alter account fulfills is a base for FWB or friends with benefits. On Twitter, base refers to an account that retweets or uploads posts that match the theme of that account. Therefore, his followers usually also have the same pleasure as what the base uploads. The method used in this study is a qualitative method. Qualitative method is a method that makes the researcher a key instrument inan object with natural conditions (Sugiyono, 2005). Qualitative can also be defined as an analysis to understand the phenomena that occur in the subject under study in a special context, with various methods, and described in the form of words (Moleong, 2005). Behavioral FWB or friends with benefits is a behavior that is considered not in accordance with the norms in Indonesia and is a form of adultery. Zina, in the KBBI, is an act of sexual intercourse between a man and a woman who are not bound by marriage. In the five recognized religions in Indonesia, adultery is a sin and is not allowed at all. In the end, anonymity is a doubleedged sword. It can be a way to protect one's identity, but it can also be misused for social deviance. This is in line with differing opinions from experts, such as Brazzier who agrees to anonymity on the pretext of avoiding information piracy and Levmore & Nussbaum who considers anonymity a source of negativity and online hostility. Keywords FWB (friends with benefits); anonymity phenomenon; freedom of sexual expression; twitter; motivation I. Introduction Anonymity has become a thing that is often found on social media today. Anonymity refers to an environment that involves secrets, hidden identities, and masks of personality. Anonymity is characterized by the "loss of identity" that results from the removal of certain elements such as names and addresses (Wallace, 1999) . It is a topic that is often discussed since communication is carried out by the Internet. Several researchers often have different arguments regarding anonymity. Brazier and colleagues (2004), for example, consider that anonymity is necessary because of the large number of hijacked information on computers. This is in contrast to Levmore & Nussbaum (2010) who say that anonymity is something that can create negative and hostile nuances. Social media is an example of a relatively recent development of information technology (Marbun et al, 2020) . Anonymity can be seen on various social media. Each social media itself has its own character and this is closely related to anonymity. Social media Twitter has many accounts with usernames that are far different from their real names, profile photos that do not show faces, and fake names. HAI magazine once conducted a survey of teenagers. As a result, 46% of the 300 teenagers surveyed apparently had a second account which they referr

FAQs

What does anonymity mean in the study’s context?

Anonymity refers to a social environment involving secrets, hidden identities, and masked personality, characterized by a “loss of identity” when elements like names and addresses are removed.

How does anonymity relate to FWB base accounts on Twitter?

Anonymous accounts often create alter accounts and participate in the FWB base system by reposting or uploading themed content, using fake identities and obscured photos to make real identification difficult.

Why is anonymity considered both beneficial and harmful?

Anonymity can protect personal identity, but it can also be misused for social deviance and contribute to negativity or online hostility, depending on differing expert perspectives.

Aug 22, 2026

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