Require Real Names Instead of Usernames

[Shawn Gossman]

Would you ever consider requiring real names as the username instead of nicknames or aliases?

If yes, how could you justify doing something like this? If not, why wouldn't you?

Would you ever join a forum that required this, or have you ever joined one that did?

In many cases, people feel that forums should allow you to be semi-anonymous if you choose to be. However, social media is full of billions of users, and many require that you use your real name.

 

[Cpvr]

No, I won't require my users to use their real names. I've been using my alias for the past 20 years and I won't be using my real name anytime soon, so i won't force my users to do so either.

 

[Tracy]

No, and in fact on the NodeBB sites I help admin and also run there is the option for users to input their real name in addition to a user name. And you can also elect to show the real name as the default.
It's disabled on all the NodeBB sites.

Me, I use my real name. I don't worry about it.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

No, and in fact on the NodeBB sites I help admin and also run there is the option for users to input their real name in addition to a user name. And you can also elect to show the real name as the default.
It's disabled on all the NodeBB sites.

Me, I use my real name. I don't worry about it.

I use my real name, my real full name.

I'm fine with it but I think people have the right to be anonymous online and use an alias if they want to.

I would never make it a rule unless I was running a private forum for work or something like that where users needed to use their actual name.

 

[ruscoe]

I would never require real names. If a user wants to use their real name then that's completely fine.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I would never require real names. If a user wants to use their real name then that's completely fine.

I personally agree.

I have joined forums, though, that have required it. But they've been professional in nature.

Heck, I've had to upload my DL to Facebook to verify my identity especially once I got the blue checkmark on my business page brand.

 

[Heatman]

Making a rule that user's real name is what they are going to use to register is something I will never agree with and I'm never going to approve that kind of thing in my community but if the user prefers to register with their real name, I don't have any problem with it. I'll always have it in the forum rules to never release any of yourself personal data in the forum because we are not going to be held responsible for any breach.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Yeah, the internet is supposed to be anonymous. Even though it really isn't for the average person. But we should be able to hide who we are on websites we join but at the same time, I think websites should be able to require real names, even if I don't agree. I can agree simply not to join.

 

[Mike30]

I wouldn't require real names on forums.
That's why I have separate scripts where they can put their real names, but for internal purposes like billing, etc...