So long, PackerzRULE754. Real names are coming to YouTube

Facebook has done pretty well by getting people to use their real names. Despite the zillion reasons not to trust Facebook without reservation, you can be reasonably confident that someone you meet on Facebook is who they say they are.

Not so much with YouTube where user names can be cryptic and where the comments section can be one of the nastiest, most hostile things you’re ever likely to run across on the web. Now, YouTube parent company Google is trying to do something about that by encouraging real names to be used on the site and, in the process, maybe promote Google+ a little as well.

From Wired:

When you comment on, or upload a video, YouTube will now urge you to “start using your full name on YouTube,” and ask if the video-sharing site can begin displaying the identity you’ve associated with your Google+ account (assuming you use Google’s social network). If you decline, Google makes you select a valid reason, like “My channel name is well-known.”