QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY

DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Module 2 LESSON 11. UNPACKING THE SELF: The Digital Self

Competencies 1. Discuss on - line identity and its relation to the digital world.
2. Describe the influence of internet to the self.
3. Demonstrate good values and attitude online.

Discussion Introduction
This unit explains the concept of digital self and the importance of digital
technology in human activities. It also presents the implications of and the
ethical issues involved in sharing personal information especially in social
network.

I, me, myself, and my user ID online identity

Much of our communication and socialization mode now a days happens
on – line, relying more on the unse of technology and internet. Even business
transactions and meetings are mostly done virtually through the use of the
internet. As we interact with other people in on-line sites and uses online
services that require personal accounts such as password and usernames, we
are already creating and sharing our on-line identity. On-line identity
(Olshansky, 2016) is a social identity that network users establish in online
communities. In the internet, there are many social identity providers such as
Facebook, twitter, Google, and many others where one can manage how their
identities can be presented. When you are using the Internet, your online
identity is the sum of your characteristics and interactions. Every website you
interact with has its own idea of your identity because each one you visit sees
you and your characteristics differently. Through the internet, we are able to
make multiple on-line identity for different purposes that possible suits us. This
according the William James is an extension of our self – identity. Our on-line
identity is just one facet of who we are.

Selective Self Presentation and Impression Management

On – line identity most of the time requires sharing of self – identity and
people are likely to share their on-line identity that usually matches what is
needed or required in the online community. People usually consider proper
selection of words, photos, and comments in order to create or make a
difference. This process is called impression management. Impression
management is the effort to control or influence other people's perceptions. This
could be their perception of a certain person (including you), a material
possession or an event. An example of online impression management is when
people post happy moments about their family and their travels because they
wanted others to think and to present themselves as having a happy and
contented family life. We usually do impression managing in order to feel good
about our lives but if we try to look into the deeper meaning of it, we may be
striving for positive perceptions from others in the internet world.

Another way of on – line presentation is through selective self –

presentation. Self-presentation refers to how people attempt to present
themselves to control or shape how others (called the audience) view them. It
 QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

involves expressing oneself and behaving in ways that create a desired
impression. Girls would post filtered images of themselves because they wanted
to feel satisfied with their personal looks as well as try to present herself as
beautiful or sexy or stylist to others. Selective self-presentation focuses on
changing how other people view an individual.

FIVE CHANGES THAT IMPACT THE NATURE OF SELF DUE TO OUR

CURRENT DIGITAL AGE
(Excerpt from Belk (2013) study)
1. DEMATERIALIZATION
Our tangible things and possessions become invisible. Photos that
are collected and place in an album are now stored in digital storage
devices such as phones and in some internet location. Music and movies
are now stored in small devices instead of CD and tape collections. Our
private acquisition becomes group because of sharing.

2. REEMBODIMENT
Refers to new construction and definition of the self. Through the
digital technology, we are able to disembody and re-embodied our photos
and videos through the help of editing, photo shop and other accessories
that can help enhance it. An example of this is those who are undergoing
sexual identity crisis. Through the virtual worlds they are able to present
themselves in the way they want to present themselves. The internet
provides us a mask as well as safety which means that we do not see true
identity thus we must rely on the feedback of others for self –
improvement.

3. SHARING
Digital devices help us share more, as well as more broadly, than
ever before. Through Facebook, it is likely that social media friends know
more than the immediate families about daily activities, connections and
thoughts. Diaries that were once private or shared only with close friends
are now posted as blogs for anyone to read. In posting photos on sites like
Flickr or Photo bucket the use of arm’s-length self-photography marks a
change. Facebook is now a key part of self-presentation.

4. CO- CONSTRUCTION OF SELF

Our blogs invite comments, social media thrive on interaction and
while cell phones may be decreasingly used for telephone calls and e-
mails, they are increasingly used for text messaging, taking and posting
photos and videos, and geo-locating to connect with others. Blogging is a
form of affirmation seeking. The affirmation by readers provides
confidence to extend the self in a new direction. Feedbacks from friends
and anonymous readers help in the co – construction of the self.

5. DISTRIBUTED MEMORY
Social media help us remember other people, emotions and events
of significance in our lives. We can look up old friends, see photos with
others who help a jointly construct the memory of shared events. Our
 QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

memories benefit not only from our online actions but those others who
post images of us and tag us in. Our self is not just co – constructed on
line but so is our shared portion of our memory co- constructed with
others on social media.

BOUNDARIES OF THE SELF ONLINE

Expression of Gender and Sexuality Online
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, sexuality is 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 relationship with others and how others think of them as
well (Cicarelli & White, 2012).
The portrayal of male and female behaviors in media could affect the
construction of appropriate sexual behaviors of people, especially adolescents.
The internet and social networking sites provides channels for the dissemination
of information including information about gender and identity and sexuality.
For this reason, better and accurate information is now becoming available. With
the increasing urgency to uphold human rights and to protect the dignity and
equality of all persons of various sexual orientations, a pleasure prohibiting
discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression
is developed.

PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SELF

Most users of social networking sites prefer to be anonymous 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. Thus,
adolescents are particularly susceptible to cyberbullying, gossips, and stalking.
For this reason, the government together with academic and even religious
institution in the Philippines make efforts to prevent and effectively manage the
spread of identity theft, false information, and fake news in the country.

Effects of Cyberbullying
EFFECTS ON THE BULLIED EFFECTS ON THE BULLIES

Emotional issues (anxiety, depression) Emotional issues

Concentration issues Concentration issues

Behavioral issues Behavioral issues
Trouble getting along with peers More likely to be hyperactive
Experience physical symptoms such as More likely to abuse drugs or alcohol
headaches, and stomach pain

How to avoid or stop cyberbullying

1. Keep your profile set to private.
2. Don’t friend or follow anyone who isn’t a friend.
3. Don’t accept requests or messages from users you don’t know
 QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

4. Never share and protect your password and prevent others from gaining
access to your profile and private photos
5. Educate yourself and others on the negative impact of cyberbullying.
6. If you see it, report it.
Etiquettes Rules For Students
Social media have greatly influenced and hanged our everyday interactive
behaviors and new norms are formed. It is not already uncommon for us to see
people walking while talking to someone in their phone or even doing a live –
streaming. People are posing for a selfie, taking photos before meal for their
instagram and posting for their instagram. Since this is already the modern
communication landscape, it is important that people who are using social
media should be able to practice modern social media etiquette

General Social Media Etiquette for Students

1. Act like you would in real life. How you act on social media sites is often
the most direct way of how people will perceive who you are.
2. Don’t Discriminate. You can’t be friends with everybody on line but be
willing to open up to all types of friends and followers.
3. Earn Respect. Offer accessible information in a friendly way. Share
relevant and verified link, commentary and helpful tips. Be responsible
and do not spread fake news.
4. Avoid Burnout. Balance your social media life, do not burn yourself out.
5. Be curious but not nosy. Social media communities are all about learning
each other but do not invade other people’s lives.
6. Be extra polite. Apply some attitude to your social media activity by being
friendly and helpful and not to spread hate.
7. Follow the golden rules. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
8. Remember that there are boundaries. Not everyone you are following or
following you is your friend. Try not to talk about health and mushy
stuff.
Rules on Facebook
1. Don’t cyber-stalk.
2. Don’t drunk – Facebook. Making drunk post can be funny for some
friends but it can seriously damage your image or self-representation.
3. Don’t sent apps. When you try out an application, do not send it to
everyone you’re friends with. Again, not everyone is your personal friend.
4. Don’t write private messages on wall posts. It’s embarrassing, rude and
makes you look immature.
5. Edit your photo choices. Posting personal photos can trigger bullying. Do
not post photos of yourself or others engaging in irresponsible or illegal
activities.
6. Be careful who you tag. Ask permission if it oks to the person you tag.
7. Write Clear Status Updates. People who write or post vague status
updates such as depressing songs or images can be self – indulgent.
In order for a harassment to be considered bullying, the following basis should
 QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

be considered:
1. There must be an imbalance of power between the victim and the
perpetrator/s and occur over an extended period of time.
2. It is characterized by the repetition of the abuser behavior – it happens
more than one or it has potential to happen again.
3. The imbalance and repetition of the harassment happens via any form of
electronic communication, such as texting online, on websites, social
networks, via email and others.

References Alata, E.J.P. (2018). Understanding the Self. Quezon City: Rex Book Store

Corpuz, B. B. et. al. (2015). Child and Adolescent Development. Metro Manila:
Lorimar Publishing, Inc.

Monila, J. and Ramirez, N. (2018). Understanding the Self. Quezon City: C & E
Publishing, Inc.

Magalona, E. and Evelyn S. Sadsad. (2016). Personal Development. Manila:

Mindshapers Co., Inc.

How the Digital era has changed the lives of Pinoys

https://cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/tech/2018/03/23/digipinoy-
interview.html

Olshansky, Steve. 2016. Online Identity: who, Me? Internet Society. October 10,
2016. https://www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/2016/online-identity-
who-me/