something that probably could be studied is degree to which real names and pseudonyms are both subsets of reputation systems https://twitter.com/MWStory/status/1275829873618100225

e.g its possible to envision scenarios in which a persistent pseudonym can act as a deterrent and a real name does not.

suppose, for example, that digimon_otis works tirelessly over years and years to attain a certain level of social status within a fanboard devoted to, say, galapagos island turtles.

digimon_otis, offline, is a nobody working a service job. he has no meaningful social outlet beyond this board about galapagos turtles. all of his friends come from this board, all of his sense of power and accomplishment comes from having posted obsessively about turtles

digimon_otis could use his power abusively, but if he is banned and has to start over at another board -- with another name -- none of this social status he gained from posting about turtles is transferable. he is deterred therefore by threats to his pen name, not his person

there are, however, many people *not* like digimon_otis -- from Donald Trump to many nationally recognized public figures -- who have a very different set of incentives.

first, they have an OFFLINE base of social status. this offline base is transmuted into online social power. They receive preferential treatment on social networks and are allowed to do things that would be interpreted as TOS violations if any other user did them

if they were to be banned from a social network -- and this is not likely because they are powerful people -- they would find another outlet to broadcast their views.