Abstract: Methods and systems to allow individuals participating in social networks to establish pseudonymity amongst people they know in real life or in a virtual context are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention provides the assignment of disposable aliases or other temporary forms of personal identity, such as an image, to users in a virtual network to obfuscate their real identities or persistent online identities. Another paradigm introduces the notion of a private group or “campfire” where invited users (whether initiated by an individual or systematically broadcast to a broad or limited group) are allowed or expected to use such dynamic aliases to facilitate protected online interaction, expression, and discourse with the group at large (campfire), rather than as multiple one-to-one conversations (hub and spoke).