Re-Definition of "Real Name" and Identity on Social Media

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24700250
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Library and information science/Humanistic social informatics
• Research Institution: Kanto Gakuin University (2013-2016); Keio University (2012)
• Principal Investigator: ORITA Akiko 関東学院大学, 人間共生学部, 准教授 (20338239)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 名前 / アイデンティティ / プライバシー / ソーシャルメディア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This project examined following five points; 1) The definition of "real name" varies regarding nations and regions. 2) The young generation become using real name rather than pseudonyms on social media. 3) Identification by real name is necessary especially for deceased users. 4) According to the questionnaire and examination, most users are using services without enough understanding of system and properties. 5) According to the web questionnaire on dual-name users who use both family name and birth (maiden) name, "real name" not always means legal name, but sometimes means socially proper name; for example, use husband's name instead of her birth - legal name in familial situation.

Free Research Field

情報社会学