Facebook has added a new naming option in Facebook Groups, with members now able to go by their chosen nicknames within group discussion.
As you can see in these examples, when creating your profile within any Facebook group, you can now choose to use a nickname, instead of your real name, along with an alternative profile image for that specific group.
The idea is that this will give people more freedom to be able to post as they choose within any group, without feeling the pressure of representing their real-world identity. Which could also mean that you can post offensive stuff and not have it tied back to your profile direct, though nicknames will be linked to your actual Facebook account, so they will be attributable to your actual identity as well, in case of any issues.
As you can see in the above sequence, with nicknames, Facebook will suggest potential monikers that you might want to use, while you’ll also be able to choose an incognito-style avatar for your account.
That name and identifier will then represent you in each group, as you choose.
Nicknames, Facebook notes, are different from anonymous posts or comments, which are also available in some communities, in that nicknames are designed for ongoing participation, as opposed to one-time questions that you may feel uncomfortable asking. Nicknames are designed to give users more freedom to participate in whatever discussions they choose, without revealing their true identity, which could be helpful for people who want to explore certain topics, but may feel apprehensive about engaging.
It could be a helpful update, with a simple mechanism that enables users to engage in communities as they see fit.
Though again, there will be some concerns about people misrepresenting who they are, in order to enter chats where they otherwise wouldn’t be welcome, but Facebook will continue to monitor such activity, and the potential for misuse of the option.
Facebook says that nicknames are now available in all Facebook groups.
