Anonymity. The onset of social networks has simultaneously stripped us of our privacy while also creating a legion of anonymous internet trolls. Under the cloak of anonymity, they spill their bile all over the internet without fear of recrimination. Twitter is awash with so much hate that there are even browser extensions out there to block all the anonymous nonsense out. It seems that when we think we’re saying things anonymously, we make things a little spicier than we usually would.
Users on Instagram both proved this reality to be true and were caught out in the process this week. Instagram has rolled out some new interactive features for its Snapchat copying Stories feature. Users can now ask questions as a part of their Instagram Story. The thing is, the answers to these questions are not anonymous. Whoever asked the question can see who answers it. A lot of Instagram users didn’t know this, however, and answered as if nobody was looking. Ever since they’ve been taking to Twitter publicly to talk about their embarrassment. Check out some of the best (and worst) Tweets below:
I THOUGHT THE INSTAGRAM QUESTIONS WERE ANONYMOUS SO I TOLD A GIRL HER DOG WAS UGLY FJCKSKSJKDKDJCKSIAODKCJS
— ciara (@adoptingbailey) July 12, 2018
would have been nice to know that the instagram questions weren’t Anonymous before i called my bro’s girlfriend ugly
— happy birthday flavio (@marua_yo) July 13, 2018
Turns out this Instagram questions thingy isn't anonymous 😭😭😭 I cannot show my face at school after what I've just done 💔💔💔
— chantelle. ♡ (@chantellchitura) July 12, 2018
Just to let y’all know, in case you haven’t found out already, those instagram questions are not anonymous!!! 😂😂💀💀 (no this is not mine but it was too funny not to share) pic.twitter.com/9NuXhsIc0w
— neena simone 🧜🏾♀️ (@WithThatNeena) July 12, 2018
When the sexually aggressive dudes realize the Instagram "Ask a Question" isn't anonymous and they've just been exposed on 7 girls instagram stories about sending feet pictures pic.twitter.com/yyqQZ3rxNR
— Grant Loess (@gloess1) July 12, 2018
It isn’t all bile, however, sometimes anonymity allows us to say those things that were too scared to say. Our heart wants to sing, but our fearful brain holds us back. In those moments, anonymity can give us an opportunity to say what we’ve always wanted to say.
Wait Instagram story questions aren’t anonymous?!?!?! Oh no I told my friend I love them with my entire being and would do anything for them
— Ty (@tylerhaugle) July 12, 2018
We’re with you Ty, you wholesome meme of a man. The only question left now, is what happened next?
