Asianlayleaders.com – It is not easy to trace back when exactly the ‘alter’ in Twitter became a trend. In 2018 and 2020 an attempt was made by MAGDALENE (a women-focused bilingual online publication in Indonesia) to explore Alter Twitter (source, source). Later in 2021 and 2022 Jakarta Post and Kumparan also published articles to expose the hype and personal experiences of Alter Twitter.
Alter as a stand-alone word derived from Latin alterare meaning to change. Thus, to have an alter account in Twitter means the user changes their personality which tens to be totally different from their “real” Twitter account. When using an alter account, users hide their identity and it creates anonymity. Although having an alter account enables a person to have an impersonal and anonymous virtual relationship with others, it can also become a source of validation and intimacy at the same time.
In a country – like Indonesia- where talking openly about sexuality is considered taboo, Twitter alter accounts are helpful to get partners for casual flings (source). This Alter Twitter seems to give the ability for the alter users to experience sexual excitement and avoid involvement at the same time. Anthony Giddens, a prominent English sociologist said social life in the cities tend to be impersonal and anonymous. The phenomenon of Alter Twitter confirmed the thesis for a reason that there are many alter accounts that convey their domicile in big cities of Indonesia, i.e Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya. Alter account users intentionally put their location to make it easier for them to find a match for hook-up even though there are some accounts who do not mind about it because they are looking for a virtual buddy. Anonymity which at first becomes the main point of having an alter account, instantly becomes pointless when people use it to get a partner, either to meet up offline or stay virtual. It is a requirement to disclose some identities in order to attract the other alter account and get connected.
The anonymity that Alter Twitter offers coupled with the alter accounts behaviour to seek for mutuals (alter accounts follow each other) makes me see the paradox of being a total stranger in Twitter and at the same time alter users also know each other. I find it easy to know the identities from alter accounts, especially those related with gender, religion, age and ethnicities. Some of them put the cross symbols in their profile biodata, even a bible verse to claim themselves as a Christian. Some of them put the China and Indonesia country flags to let them identified as Chinese Indonesian. Some of them mention themselves as “2x F” for 20-year-old female or “30+ M” for 30-year-old male, or they put the rainbow symbol to be recognized as queer.
Anonymous social connection somehow gives people some sense of security to show themselves as they are. I found some female alter accounts easily revealing their bodies, with censor on the face, for some reasons. Some accounts try to get buyers for their nude contents, some try to allure the other account to get ‘friends’, and some people say it is how One validates Ones’ sense of self (source). As I tried to get to know these users closer, I found many of them get angry for the mistreatment and harassment they had received. This makes me believe the Alter Twitter shows how vulnerable women can be, even in a ‘world’ where they can hide their identity, the situation always put them to risks.
In my reflection, the Alter Twitter phenomenon raises my concern on how youth nowadays seem to have lesser options in real life to fill their craving for a healthy relationship. Brené Brown, a professor who is known for her research on vulnerability, said that it takes courage to be vulnerable, to share our feelings and experiences with people, to connect. It will be difficult for people these days to build connection one to another while using the alter account. Embracing vulnerabilities can be one of the Catholic Church teachings to help the youth cope with their crave for connection.*
By Stella Anjani (Indonesia)