DIGITAL

SELF
DIGITAL SELF
The digital self is the aspect of the self that is expressed or shared
with others through online interactions on the internet,
specifically in social networking sites.

• Users normally disclose personal information such as their name, birthdate,

age, address and contact details.
• They also provide very personal information about themselves such as likes
and dislikes, hobbies, favorite food, favorite movies, places they have visited,
relationship status, thoughts and feelings, and important events in their lives.

This sharing of personal information on social networking sites may be

related to the strong desire of adolescents for social approval and
acceptance.
 Self-Presentation and Impression Management
According to John DeLamater and Danirel Myers (2012), self is heavily influenced by feedback from others.
Interaction with significant others may be very influential to how one presents himself or herself in a virtual space. The views
of others through online interactions (social networking) are so important that they become part of the self. Personal
information that individuals disclose through online interaction which others judge favorably through “liking and reacting”
contribute to positive self-concept.
Self-presentation
An individual’s attempts, both conscious and unconscious, to control how he or she projects himself or herself in
social interactions. Some forms self-presentation may be authentic, but some may be tactical or selective.

• Individuals use several methods to create positive impressions. Some individuals try to alter their appearances through
what they post on social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by using photo editing tools.

• Desire to impress other people on social media may lead to showing off one’s work, achievements, and material
possessions in virtual place.

• The desire to create positive impressions and to be “liked” by others may lead to consequences that can be risky to
one’s security and mental health, such as identity theft, cyberbullying, gossiping as well as anxiety and
depression. Thus, individuals should be very careful with what they post or share on social networking sites. People
should be mindful of their privacy using social networking sites.
 Expression of Gender and Sexuality Online
Merriam Webster Dictionary defines sexuality as the quality or state of being sexual while gender is the
psychological identification of a person as masculine or feminine. Both could affect not only how people think about
themselves but also their relationships with others and how others think of them as well.
 The internet and social networking sites provide channels for the dissemination of information,
including information about gender identity and sexuality.

Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP)

Provides scientific knowledge on the application of psychological theories,
concepts, and principles on gender identity and sexual orientation to benefit society and
improve the lives of the members of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer, +) community. In the PAP website, online resources and publications on LGBTQ+
issues, resources, and information addresses bias and discrimination issues.

Anti-Discrimination Act
-aims to protect the rights and welfare of the LGBTQ+ people in the Philippines. The act recognizes the
important role of telecommunications and social media in protecting, particularly, the LGBTQ+ people
from discriminatory acts.
 The Importance of Digital Technology
At present, the use of technology is essential for individual survival and for communication with other
people, which is also the same as it is developing to be important for the development of society.
Technology
The application of info in the design production, and utilization of goods and
services, and in the organization of human activities.
-Business Dictionary

• Technology has changed the social features of people's lives.

• It has altered the way people view the social dimension of relationship.
• Advancements in computer and software technology.
• Improvement in the areas of education, health and production industries.
 Forms of technology such as digital technology includes all types of electronic equipment
and applications that use information in the form of numeric codes.

• Digital Technology includes computers and mobile phones.

• It enabled volumes of information to be compressed in compact storage devices.
• It immensely changed the patterns of working as well as the learning of new concepts,
including communication.

Innovations in mobile phones, for example, resulted in the widespread use of the internet
and social networking.
 Impact of Online Interactions on the Self
The Philippines has the fastest growing internet population in Southeast Asia. This can be rooted to majority
of the Filipinos, particularly the youth, use the internet primarily for social networking which is mostly used for
communication, information and entertainment.
Mobile phones
Becomes a very valuable part of the daily life of today's youth.

• to keep in touch
• to connect with people
• to be updated

However, the use of digital technology and online interactions limit face-to-face interaction and has
drawn people away from meaningful communication with families and friends. Hence, it changes the
social behaviors of individuals, families, and societies as a whole.
 Hechanova and Ortega-Go find that the use of internet has both positive and negative
outcomes.
POSITIVE:
• Can improve one's relationship through easier ways of communicating.
• Can be an important facility for debates on current issue in the country.
• Can be a facility to express opinions, needs and concerns of people.

NEGATIVE:
• There is identity theft.
• There is a spread of false information.
• There is a circulation of fake news.
 Most users of social networking sites prefer to be anonymous may and sometimes use
FALSE NAMES.
PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY should be a major concern, especially for
adolescents who may not be entirely aware of the consequences of sharing private information
online, for anyone to see. Through this, adolescents are particularly susceptible to:
• Cyberbullying
• Gossips
• Stalking

For this reason, the government together with academic and religious institution in the
Philippines make efforts to prevent and effectively manage its negative side.
Data Privacy Act
To protect the people from invasion of privacy, RA 10173, otherwise known as Data
Privacy Act of 2012 was passed in the Philippines. It is the policy of the State to protect the
fundamental human right of privacy, of communication while ensuring free flow of
information to promote innovation and growth.
 Creator Social Networking Sites Uses
• A popular free social networking
Mark Zuckerberg • • • website that allows registered
users to create profiles, upload
photos and etc.
Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, • Social media network that
•
Biz Stone, and Even • • allows users to share images
Williams associated with project, goods,
and services, and to visually
Ben Silbermann • • • discover new interests.
• Used to connect people with the
same interests.
Evan Spiegel, Bobby • Popular messaging app that lets
• • •
Murphy users exchange pictures and
and Reggie Brown videos (called snaps) that are
• • meant to disappear after they're
Kevin Systrom • viewed.
• Used to watch music videos and
vlogs.
Jowed Karim, Steve Chen, • Social networking app made for
• • •
and Chad Hurley sharing photos and videos from
a smartphone.
David Karp • • • • A network of millions of user-
generated, personal Web sites.