The Limits Of Self-Expression In The Virtual Community According To The Concept Of Known Strangers By Stanley Milgram

Abstract

This study aims to explore the boundaries of self-disclosure in virtual communities, where the concept of virtual identity is associated with disclosing details and personal characteristics to others, leading to the existence of knowledge about them among others, but this knowledge is virtual and not real. According to Stanley Milgram, they become "Familiar Strangers" to each other, as he started from the idea that repeated encounters in public places lead to a kind of familiarity and knowledge among individuals. We found that excessive disclosure of personal information has transformed the concept of "Familiar Strangers" into strangers who know every detail and characteristic of others. This cancels the idea of mutual non-interaction agreed upon by "Familiar Strangers" and leads to breaking down barriers and boldly delving into the privacy of others, which distinguishes virtual interaction. Virtual interaction is often written and widely exposes personal and self-related information, while the information shared by individuals in public places remains very limited no matter how often they meet, due to the limited information shared by individuals in public places and its lack of documentation.