The Role of Anonymity in the Flaming Activity on YouTube in Malaysia

• Main Authors: Amadera Limgam, Revathy, Aripin, Norizah
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/25337/1/SMMTCPS%202018%20119%20123.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/25337/
• Institution: Universiti Utara Malaysia

In recent days, YouTube has been labeled as the number one website with the most number of flames. The term flaming refers to offensive language such as swearing, insults and hating comments.Anonymity is one of the major components of YouTube that leads one to flame. Anonymity renders an environment that encourages irresponsible acts by people to display offensive behaviors. The aim of this study is to examine the role of anonymity in the flaming activity in Malaysia. In order to support the direction of the study, the uses and gratification theory is proposed in order to explain flaming and its relation to anonymity. In-depth interview was conducted with 10 informants who were the flamers on YouTube. Thematic analysis method were implemented in order to analyze the data. The results of this study concludes that most of the flamers kept their identity anonymous due privacy concerns and for the freedom of speech. The rest of the flamers used their real name as a form of publicity, identity defining and to boost their self-confidence.