THE SELF IN THE

DIGITAL WORLD
 THE SELF IN THE DIGITAL WORLD

The advent of technology comes with a corresponding challenge: to ensure

that technology is used properly. This is the essence of digital citizenship,
which refers to the norms of appropriate and responsible behavior towards
technology use. Digital citizenship is anchored in 3 general principles:
respecting, educating, and protecting oneself and others. Digital
citizenship serves the purpose or regulating human behavior in a highly-
technological and digital world.
A major concern of living in the digital era is how technology shapes one’s sense
of self and identity. One concept that is related to the concept of the digital self is
online disinhibition. It is defined as the lack of restraint one feels when
communicating online in comparison to communicating in person.

Some individuals lose their inhibition in social interactions because there is an

aspect of being present only in the virtual, a sort of anonymity. Anonymity may
serve as an option for individuals who are naturally shy and introverted to express
their thoughts, without threat to their self-esteem.
THE DIGITAL SELF: WHY DO WE EXPRESS OURSELVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA LIKE WE
DO?

The Development of the Digital Self

The idea of the digital self developed from the original
phenomenon of the ‘extended self’, pioneered by Russell Belk in
1988. He believed our possessions are a major contributor to and
reflection of our identities. Back in the day, it was external objects,
such as clothes, jewelry and cars etc. that he believed we used and
considered as part of ourselves.