The virtual world is quite different than the in-person world. Digitizing people, relationships, and groups has stretched the boundaries of how and when humans can interact. For the most part people communicate through the written word. In many environments, you can give yourself any name you wish.
Anonymity has a disinhibiting effect that cuts two ways.
Sometimes people use it to act out some unpleasant need or emotion, often by abusing other people. In most cases, everyone on the internet has an equal opportunity to voice him or herself. Everyone - regardless of status, wealth, race, gender, etc. Although one's status in the outside world ultimately will have some impact on one's life in cyberspace, there is some truth to this net democracy ideal. Transcending Spatial Boundaries Geographical distance makes little difference in who can communicate with whom.