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Primary: I didn’t mean it

Pretending to be someone else online or offline may seem like a joke but it is actually lying.

On this page

What’s the issue?

When you are playing around on the web or using other online communication tools you can forget that you are actually still interacting with real people. What you do will affect them, often in ways that you didn’t intend. It can be even harder to judge other people’s reactions online than face–to–face, so you have to be even more cautious about your actions.

Why does it matter?

Advice

It’s better to be you!

You can use pseudonyms to protect your identity but the only way to develop real friendships is by being a real person. People should know that the ‘you’ they are interacting with is the real you.

Use your imagination to think about cause and effect

Stop and think about what possible outcomes your actions might have, don’t just think of one —go wild! You might change your mind once you think through the possible consequences.

People react in all different ways

Sometimes we feel like we know someone so well that we know exactly how they will feel and what they will do in a specific situation. You have to be careful not to overdo the guesswork though because things change and you don’t know what someone may be feeling or experiencing at any particular time.

Printable advice sheets

To download a copy of this advice sheet, see:

Education & training

Updated 26 March 2026

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