This is exactly the point that I was trying to make: when we write here, its in public. We have the expectation to be judged for what we say. Could you imagine if you had that feeling writing to your friends in private?
I think there are some studies on the effect of surveillance on human behavior. I've searched on google scholar, there are quite a few articles.
Here's an excerpt from one article, to give you a feel of such research: "in relation to the telephone, one feels ‘a subject’ and thus able to control the situation whereas, in relation to the camera, one is always ‘an object’. The object of a camera is in the situation of being a potential victim, without the opportunity to influence his or her own destiny. The object is forced to trust in someone else. This is why surveillance raises contradictions: to be placed in the position of a victim does not increase the feeling of being ‘in control’, but rather the feeling of being ‘under control’. However, while feelings of being under control may not be pleasant, they might still ensure one’s feelings of safety.", from ‘The gaze without eyes’: video-surveillance and the changing nature of urban space, Hille Koskela, 2000. http://old.geog.psu.edu/courses/geog497b/Readings/Koskela.pd...
I think there might be some empirical research as well.
