Serious question.

Most people carry things they never tell anyone.

Not illegal things. Just thoughts that would damage relationships or reputations if they were said out loud.

Regret about past decisions. Things people hide from partners. Thoughts about friends or family they would never admit publicly.

Therapists exist for a reason, but most people never go to one.

So I was wondering something.

Would it actually be healthier if people had a place to post these thoughts completely anonymously?

No identity. No profile. Just the confession.

I’m building a small experiment called Backroom around this idea where people can post one-line anonymous secrets.

But I’m honestly curious if people would actually use something like that or if most secrets are better left unsaid.

  • 🌞 Alexander Daychilde 🌞@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    19 hours ago

    Network size will be the main problem. Many many many projects with delightful features have been deployed. Extremely few last because only a few people end up using them. Not to discourage you, but be prepared.

    Also, consider how the service will be used for spam. I set up a simple link shortener a few years ago. Like 2015 or maybe earlier. I didn’t advertise it, but spammers still found it and abused it, so I had to take it down (too lazy to create a login system or anything, just decided to abandon it).

    Especially an anonymous service will require moderation. Are you prepared to moderate it? Have to report certain illegal content to the proper authorities; and/or authorities might subpoena you for information about postings.

    Again, things to consider.

    Also, currently, people post to places like reddit and various other places already. So you want to figure out what makes your platform different, better, and attractive to audiences.

    • humanobserver@lemmy.worldOP
      3·
      19 hours ago

      Good points honestly.

      Network effects are probably the hardest part of anything like this.

      That’s partly why I’m trying the “room” approach instead of one huge anonymous feed. Smaller spaces are easier to moderate and hopefully harder to spam.

      But yeah. If the confessions aren’t real or interesting the whole idea dies anyway.