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Political and Digital Self

By: Asso. Prof. Rene P. Zubieto, MAEd, MA Psy, RPm

Overview: Objectives: References:

The understanding of the self is key
in as well in the political landscape
-cultural,
historical, and digital environment.
where, digital citizenship is part of
its take-off; the self must be taught
to understand of the roles, limits
and power it provides the youth.
Making each of them more able,
capable and active contributors of
the society.
In the end of this chapter, students
are expected to be able to; (1)
Appraise the value the role played
by politics and the use of digital
technology in shaping the self. (2)
Examine the limits of active
citizenship and manage its use; and
citizenship in both communities: the
communal and the digital world.
Alata, Caslib, Jr., Serafica and Pawilen
(2018). Understanding the Self. Quezon
City: Rex Bookstore.
Go-Monilla and Ramirez (2018).
Understanding the Self. Quezon City: C&E
Publishing, Inc.
Gutierrez-Ang (2018). Understanding the
Self: A Text Manual for the 21st Century
Filipino Student. Manila:
Mindshapers,Inc.Co.
Macayan, Pinugu and Castillo (2019).
Understanding the Self: OBE Module.
Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc.

The everyday Juan and Juana is making decision.

(Photo credit: The Philippine Collegian, UP Diliman)
From the time of waking up and until to the last minutes
before they retire and sleep. As members of the community,
the workplace and even the school where one is belonged:
they are active makers and changers. This phenomenon is
what surmise the power and influence (political) in which
we channel options. The expressions of needs and various
ideas thru countless means one of which is the digital
platform venue. In this chapter, students will be learning
the dynamics of power and active citizenship one may
possess inherently and similarly manifest how the clout of
an influence can be channeled to the fullest of opportunity:
beneficial or otherwise in the age of internet use. The
chapter is divided into two parts: Part One: The Political
Self and Part Two: The Digital Self.

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1: The POLITICAL SELF

Macayan, Pinugu and Castillo (2019) pointed out that as

members of the society, people are naturally obligated to
participate in a political system as social citizens. As citizens,
people become aware of their duties and responsibilities that
should empower them to participate in state and political affairs.
Politics refers to the actions or activities concerned with achieving
and using power in a nation or a society.

Let us try to examine this short video clip to start our

discussion:

. Are we considered
political when we argue with our parents about what we feel? Are we considered political when
we express about our discontent to our government? And lastly, are we political when we
influence our friends or associates to like or favor our opinions?

Content:

I. What is Politics?
Politics is equated with power. In some instances, even in our own homes politics
is evident. Looking around, even our community shares a considerable impact like the
following illustrations; (a) when people can freely express themselves; (b) when our
government manages to protect us; (c) when we express ourselves in varied means to our
co-workers, classmates or friends; and lastly (d) even the amount of money we have (earn)
is a political statement that shapes oneself.

II. How Am I as a Filipino?

Take a picture of the following Filipino traits and values in your imagination: amor
propio, utang-na-loob, hospitableness, pagka- maka Diyos, being respectful to elders and
parents, being obedient, the use of and and many others. Are we considered good
citizens of our country when we manifest these qualities?

Gutierrez-Ang (2018) clustered the Filipino values in three distinct categories:

personalism, familialism and particularism. Particularism refers when one validates other
s a human being. Familialism on the other hand, are those
traditions and activities in the community that revolves around the interest of the family.
And lastly, when one insinuates Filipino knack for patronizing someone who is familiar
or one who they relate to, it refers to particularism.

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III. Politics, Citizenship, and the Self

Let us talk about this editorial

streets about mass testing? And reflect on

a general sentiment that leads to an
inquiry, such;

(Editorial cartoon courtesy Philippine Collegian,

UPD)

Macayan, Pinugu and Castillo (2019) explained politics as embedded by man in four key points:
First, politics is concerned with power. Second, politics functions based on particular social,

her personal politics both are indistinguishable. And lastly, politics pervades the structure of
the society, thus it influences its people through their beliefs, ethics, and behavior.

IV. Political Self

beliefs. Everyone is naturally inclined to have choices and reactions to

political scenarios. Political self is anchored in the inclination to participate,
remain engaged and become accountable.

V. Active Citizenship

Active citizenship refers to the structured forms of engagements with

political processes and everyday forms of participation in society. This is the
mmunity in which
one lives. It gives foundation to democracy to which participation is its

behavioral engagement to participate in formal and informal political activities.

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(Photo credit: FB Anonymous account, 2020)

Suggested Activities:

1. Watch and study a pre-recorded lecture note. Type the link below and click:

https://www.powtoon.com/online-presentation/f0v1Cdl8rol/sir-rene_uts-political-self

2. From the lecture notes, worked on slide no.9. Out of the four (4) pictures/ editorial
cartoon, pick one to express your political view about it. Write 200-250 words
reflection paper, in a word-format (Arial, 11-font size, single space).

3. Attend Zoom meeting for the discussion proper (set respective online class schedule).

4. Assignment/ Written quiz/ (or) another online session for recitation.

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2: The DIGITAL SELF

number of people is now taking ease of communicating via cellular phones,

making text messages, transacting money cashless and even safeguarding
volumes of documents paperless. Our thinking is fast becoming attuned to
the various gadgets and technological innovations, including the use of
internet. And consequently, our youth today are identified being the
generation of . Most homes are now internet connected,
offices and business establishments even schools are electronically and
technologically wired. How does the shift of this technological edge versus
the traditional orientation changed the development of oneself? Does it
favor the youth today? Or the exposure to this overarching development
is a disadvantage?

Undeniably, beliefs, value orientation and behavior of individuals especially of those individuals
whose constant exposure is heavily influenced by technology. Enough to say, that because digital
technology is here to stay, the need to understand, teach and manage the dynamic changes it
impacts a developing person relevant and necessary.

Content:
1. The Global Digital Snapshot
With the rise of technology, ways of socializing have significantly changed. A
(January 2017) reported the
following significant figures.

Total population (World) 7.476 Billion

Internet users 3.733 Billion
Active Social Media Users 2.789 Billion

Further, it is noteworthy to examine the following growth in the use of the internet
and social media from the same report.

Internet users are +10% Active social media users are

(since 2016) that is equal to + +21% (since 2016) that
354 million in numbers. translate an estimated 482
million additional users.

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2. Digital Identity
Macayan, Pinugu

ranked by importance. The greater the commitment of an individual to a particular

identity influences the behavioral choices an individual makes in each situation.

Digital Identity refers to the identity a person claims in the cyberspace. A digital
identity allows a person to be part of the virtual community that goes beyond physical
and geographical boundaries. By having a digital identity, one can leave online footprints
(account name, friends, likes, comments, and shares) in cyberspace.
Online Disembodiment is when in the use of social media, people may act
differently since interaction in social media do not happen face-to-face and there is no
physical presence required. This is the more or less likely the display of their real
to others, most oftentimes even to strangers.
Online Disinhibition Effect refers when people adopt fake identities, they are
likely to engage in behaviors that they would not do in real life interactions. This effect as
an online behavior are categorized further into two: (a) benign disinhibition and (b) toxic
disinhibition. If one tends to self-disclose more on the internet than on real life it refers to
the benign disinhibition, while on the other hand, online users who use rude language,
bully or threatens others and go to websites with contents of violence, crime and
pornography are considered toxic inhibition.

3. The Importance of Digital Technology

3.1. Technology has changed the social features o

people view social dimension of relationships.
3.2.
education, health, and production industries.
3.3. It enabled volumes of information to be compressed in compact storage devises,
to easily contained and delivered, minimizing the transmission of data.
3.4. Digital technology brought about innovations and contributed to a change in the
work patterns.

4. The Self in the Digital World

The use of internet primarily serves three major purposes (Macayan, Pinugu and
Castillo, 2019): (1) social interaction, (2) information acquisition and generation and (3)
entertainment. It is not surprising that majority of people today are exposed to gadgets,
mobile applications, and the internet.

5. Nine Manifested Technological and Online Behaviors

These themes listed describes the proliferation of technology in the world and how
they are used for specific purposes:

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Digital Access Full electronic participation in society.

Digital Commerce Electronic buying and selling of goods.
Digital Communication Electronic exchange of information.
Digital Literacy Process of teaching and learning using technology.
Digital Etiquette Electronic standards of conduct and procedure.
Digital Law Electronic responsibility for actions and deeds (ethics).
Digital Rights and Responsibilities Freedoms extended to everyone in the digital world.
Digital Health and Wellness Physical and psychological well-being of using media.
Digital Security Electronic precautions to guarantee safety.

6. The Data Privacy Act

(Download a copy from the Philippine Gazette website)
To protect the people from the invasion of privacy, Republic Act 10173,
otherwise known as the Privacy Act of 2012 was passed in the Philippines.
Suggested Activity:

1. Watch and study a pre-recorded lecture note. Type the link below and click:

https://www.powtoon.com/online-presentation/edWIADUA980/sir-rene_uts-digital-self/

2. Form a group of five members. From the lecture note, worked on slide no. 11. As soon as
you completed the group, notify your mentor by sending him/ her a message (text/ PM)
that includes the names of each members. Prepare a 3-minute short video clip (a format of
your choice, e.g. Zoom or Google classroom) to present the conclusion of the group discussion
activity.

3. Attend Zoom meeting for the discussion proper (set respective online class schedule).
4. Assignment/ Written quiz/ (or) another online session for recitation (includes the no.2
performance activity).

5. Rubric:
Organization of ideas (Relevance of ideas presented, well-researched ideas/
thoughts, good discussion points) 30 points
Presentation skills (Clarity, use of medium, appropriateness of choice) 15 points
Cooperation and teamwork (Working relationship, shared involvement, 5 points
delegated tasks)
Total Score 50 points

Photo credit:

(Photos/ cartoons used in the module are given due recognition as public domain posted in Facebook and Google
search engines. Use of the images has no copyright infringement and solely intended for classroom use only.)

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