• Korean journal of communication and information
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• v.55
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• pp.50-73
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• 2011

This paper investigates the effectiveness of Real-Name System on Internet, which has been applied to some Internet service provider bulletin boards in Korea. The goal of the Real-Name system on the Internet is controlling expression of slanderous or abusive language. The effectiveness of the regulation is dependent on the people's perceptions and attitude toward to the legislation. This empirical study examines the antecedents that affect the perceptions and attitude toward the regulation. Further, we investigate the relationships among variables such as internet public sphere participation, attitude to the regulations, and intention to choose detours. Results of regression analysis show that the younger and the more progressive individuals are, the more they oppose the implementation of the law. Also, it was found that people who have more political interest and participate more actively in public sphere via internet, tend to oppose the law. Structural equation models reveal that participation in online public sphere drives negative attitudes about the regulation. In addition, people with negative perceptions about the law tend to choose the detours such as 'cyber asylum' and 'service asylum'.