Catfish

Catfishing is a common knowledge term for most people that use the internet today, but it was the movie catfish that first popularized the term. It means to create an identity online to lead others into believing that persona and make a bond. One of two things can happen from that, either they just continue to nurture that bond, or they try to exploit that bond to manipulate others.  

How is this possible? The internet has become a social hub of interconnectedness. Many people make lifelong friends, that they will never meet face to face. With that as the realm of possibility, it is not too difficult to make an identity. To make an email address, create a social presence, and everything else that entails may take a lot of upkeep, but it isn't difficult. However, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. The act of catfishing has so many negatives on both parties. The knowledge that you are actively fooling someone for that duration of time is almost as bad as the realization that you were led on.  

It is, however, becoming easier to detect catfishers. Reverse image search as well as the extent of information that is online allows for fact checking and can prevent most situations. The problem is that you won't always suspect everyone you meet online to be fake. You want that person that you are forming a bond with to be real and to be your friend.  

Why do people do it, you might ask. It seems obvious that it is wrong and hurtful to lie to someone to that extent, but don’t we do the same in "real life" to a degree? We put on our best face when we leave our houses and people know us by that persona. We censor ourselves and limit our opinions because they aren't popularly accepted, so that we can be accepted. It is difficult to find true friends that stick around once that mask is off. However, it is still worth the risk of getting hurt to find those that will stick with your real self, at least I believe this to be the case. What about you?