In this regard I prefer the old rule of people only being allowed to post for themselves or their children (or their ward if a legal guardian). But that’s a different topic I guess LOL.
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I thought this was the current rule.
I think there are some exceptions allowed now…
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We use our discretion in allowing these types of posts.
Back to scheduled programming…
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It’s not just academic honors etc that are posted with real names. Some people post about health, mental health, family finances, etc. I’m sure most don’t even think twice about revealing these personal data points with their real name.
With the default being real name, I personally think some new users just figure this is the way it is…because you have to do a deeper dive when joining to know…it’s not.
I still say…new users should be promoted to choose a unique screen name themselves. How hard would this be to do?
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There is now no restriction on changing usernames? Can I change my username?
I don’t think the student posters should be micromanaged re their usernames. Yes, suggest when they register that they not want to use their real names. But if they do? Then they do.
It doesn’t bother me if usernames are username999 or student 123.
CC doesn’t have any special duty to preserve student identities. Do other sites?
This is College CONFIDENTIAL. So yes, it seems there is some duty to preserve anonymity. And as already mentioned above:
Using real names should not be the default on this site.
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I agree there is some duty to encourage anonymity, which would be accomplished by either cautioning students to not use their real names when choosing a username or not having real names be the suggested default name. But if they DO choose to use their real name, that’s on them at that point. There doesn’t need to be someone going in and chiding them/warning them if they do use their real name, despite the caution.
Right…but up until now…the default was their real name. Not an option to choose or not choose. And some likely thought this was the way it had to be.
I still say…a prompt to choose a username is the thing to do. If people choose their own names…so be it.
But really…how many times have mods needed to delete personal phone numbers, email addresses, etc when they have been posted on the forum? My guess…too many times.
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Daily
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Call me a cynic, but I think it’s giving too much credit to a teenage brain to conceive of the future ramifications of using an identifying name then sharing personal information such as mental health issues, unethical behavior, troubling family dynamics, financials, etc. I also think it’s giving too much credit to adults who register and are defaulted to their FB or Gmail names to know they can’t easily change it once they decide to start participating… often months after registration.
It would be preferable to be prompted to create a username that is non-identifying. It can even be stated that confidentiality allows one to more easily share information that leads to better advice… so we put it in the name!
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Will you become The Artist Formerly Known As CTTC? 
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No one is chided. Cautioned, yes, if someone is kind enough to point it out. What is your argument here? Because my argument is that real names should not be the default on a site called College Confidential.
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And I agreed. Your argument is with the PTB on CC, not me.