Speaking Ill of the Dead: Anonymity and Communication About Suicide on MyDeathSpace.com |
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| Authors: | Lynnette G Leonard Paige Toller |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Communication , University of Nebraska , Omaha lleonard@unomaha.edu;3. School of Communication , University of Nebraska , Omaha |
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| Abstract: | From birth to death, many individuals chronicle their lives online through blogs, pictures, games, Web sites, and social networks. Online spaces, created by the living about the dead, provide a glimpse into often invisible or silent grieving practices. To investigate the role computer-mediated communication (CMC) plays in influencing communication surrounding the often private and taboo topic of suicide, we analyzed the comments sections of MyDeathSpace.com. Our results suggest both a breaking down of social taboos (speaking ill of the dead) and a reaffirming of strict social norms (enforcing a narrow range of acceptable presentation of identity and purpose in life), highlighting how anonymity as a characteristic of CMC can influence our online communication about death. |
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| Keywords: | Anonymity Computer-Mediated Communication Death Grief Suicide |
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