Pseudonymity and structuration: Identity, interaction, and structure in online communities

As online identity services and discussion spaces become more prevalent, so do the effects on individuals, groups, and society as a whole. We present an analysis of the decisions in identity policies for online communities, viewed through the lens of a model for societal structuration - that is, the mechanism by which individuals experience, act within, and decide societal structure. We show how identity policies and moderation choices function for individuals experiencing intersectional oppression. We conclude with discussion of how identity policy choices and moderation style that support pseudonymity can be viewed as acts centering on the alleviation of suffering, and as such, are acts of virtue and compassion.