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Being that on the whole users have screen names and there is a general air of anonymity. Is there an issue of Lashon Harah to refer to specific screen names when one has an issue with their tone of argument and overall behavior? Does it matter that we dont know the real identity? Does causing then a loss of online reputation have any halachic validity as it does not have real world consequences (eg. No real financial loss, no daily embarrassment)

Shoel U'Meishiv
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  • You can definitely write lashon hara as well as speak it. If it's something posted in here it's more likely to be embarrassing someone in public than lashon hara. Lashon hara would apply in the Mi Yodeya chat though. – CashCow Feb 17 '15 at 15:05
  • I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it seems that this may be more appropriate in Meta. – DanF Feb 17 '15 at 15:21
  • who said speaking it was muttar? – CashCow Feb 17 '15 at 15:50
  • You can definitely write lashon hara as well as speak it.: that's a direct qoute from you – Shoel U'Meishiv Feb 17 '15 at 15:52
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    @Nafkamina He meant "can" as in "it's possible," not "it's permitted" Ch"V – SAH Feb 17 '15 at 15:54
  • Did the prior questions make his point about lost shidduchim? Because I think that's valuable – SAH Feb 17 '15 at 15:55
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    I don't know good point. But I'm assuming that goes into an average question of Lashon Harah ie. Causing damage to the person – Shoel U'Meishiv Feb 17 '15 at 15:58
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    @danf seems like a question of halacha not site policy. So main is the right site. – Double AA Feb 17 '15 at 16:44
  • @SAH, I think a question that squarely asks about Loshon Harah in any context where there is no loss of money or reputation at stake even if the person could theoretically be identified is worth asking on its own. Mixing in the practical question of if that scenario expresses itself here (it doesn't in my view) just muddies the water, I think. – Yishai Feb 17 '15 at 16:55

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