Absolutely don't have your real names in any discussions online. You have no idea who reads it and what they are capable of.

I will actually add that to my instance sign-up page. I don't want anyone to use real names.

I have no desire to hide myself or my identity. It would make the whole experience to much of a headache to use. I've been openly using my real name on the internet now for nearly 30 years, and whilst I can't rule out the possibility of it biting me one day, it's seems like a worthwhile roll of the dice to me.

I've seen a few but they turned out to be Mastodon accounts, which fair enough I suppose

This is my real name you're seeing. And yet I totally agree with this advice. I'll try and explain.

Basically, I was an early contributor to IndyMedia during the anti-war movement of the early 2000s, back before IndyMedia collapsed under the weight of conspiracy theories and antisemitism. I also did a lot of guerrilla video work and interviewed fairly high-profile people, and ended up holding screenings and speaking at events as a guest speaker and such, and I kept various blogs online too.

There was a fascist doxxing website here in the UK called Redwatch which listed me, and there were other incidents that were unpleasant. But the genie was essentially out of the bottle, and I've carried on being active online, as myself, all through the years in a way where folks could find my latest work or projects via my usual handle that is associated with me and my name.

However, I'd advise anyone to be active online under a pseudonym because it's just safer that way, and more proactive from the perspective of protection from authorities, especially as Late Capitalism predictably embraces and promotes fascism in order to protect itself, and therefore even "democracies" become more authoritarian.

That's not to say I haven't at times been active online under pseudonyms as well, but mostly I try and restrict my energies into the causes that I also happen to be associated with and known for, which means still being the same person who got into media activism twenty years ago and became known for it online.

I envy folks who are now starting from scratch, signing up for sites using pseudonyms, and retaining their anonymity. For most of us, there is absolutely nothing to gain from using real names online. Mask up on protests, and protect your privacy and security online!

There's just no hope for some people.

While this is true, I would assume that any forum such as this, which is created and run by people who ascribe to such politics, is already under observation by various governments.

It can also be assumed that they already know your IP and can get around any privacy-enhancing and security-enhancing options you have chosen to use. Thus they very likely already know your real name and all accounts associated with it. It is very, very difficult to not be watched by nation-state actors.

This does not mean that OP has not given good advice, it is still very good advice.

What the hell

Anyone posting anything personal like names, locations, photos on the internet is just.... #facepalm.

Just no.