Online and Offline Behavior: Does one Predict Another?

The aim of the paper is to analyze the relationship between online and offline behavior by using the online disinhibition effect as an example. A person behaves differently online in comparison with the same situations offline. The two forms of disinhibition are discussed: 1) benign or positive disinhibition, when a person shares very personal information, reveals his secrets, fears, does not hide his emotional state, his experiences, he tries to help the other, showing extreme generosity and care 2) toxic or negative disinhibition — when a person shows rudeness towards the other, expresses sharp criticism or even threats, visits the sites, the content of which is very difficult to understand. Appealing to constructs such as deindividuation, reduced social cues, self-awareness — sheds light on the online disinhibition effect and allows us to talk about how behavior on the network relates towards offline behavior.