I’m quite comfortable saying everything my handle says in real life with my real face and my real name. 
The internet is a very large public square and I don’t trust everyone in the whole world. I can build a reputation with my nym and grow a community of friends and trust. Then I can invite certain people in and exclude others from my real life. This isn’t hiding this is sensible and secure. 
I wear a digital outfit to cover the parts of myself that I don’t want to share with everyone. This isn’t fear it’s common sense.