One of the appeals of the Internet is the ability to shed your real identity and create a new, online persona. For instance, let’s say you’re the captain of your high school’s football team. That role places very specific expectations on you, and you may find you don’t feel comfortable expressing some interests or feelings publicly. Like the fact that you actually prefer playing Dungeon and Dragons to being your school’s quarterback. Thanks to the Internet, you’re free to do both. By using an avatar online, you can protect the privacy of each part of your life.