Disinhibition refers to

• A. Hiding behind the anonymity of the internet greatly reduces the fear that would ordinarily inhibit us from acting in face-to-face situations.
• B. Increased self-control online.
• C. More cautious behavior.
• D. Better privacy settings.

Answer: (A)

Disinhibition happens when people feel less restrained online and act more freely than they would in person because anonymity and reduced accountability behind the screen lower social fears and norms that typically keep behavior in check. The option describing hiding behind the anonymity of the internet and the resulting reduced fear of acting in face-to-face situations directly captures this idea: the lack of accountability makes actions seem less risky, so inhibitions drop.

The other options describe opposite tendencies or unrelated tools. Increased self-control online would imply more restraint, not less. More cautious behavior also suggests heightened self-control, not disinhibition. Better privacy settings are about how information is protected or hidden, not about people’s inhibitory impulses or typical online behavior.