Understanding the Self

Module 7
THE DIGITAL SELF

Course Introduction and Overview

People are connected by their humanity, and the ability to understand others begins with the
ability to understand oneself. As a rational being, you have the responsibility to look within you and
“know thyself” as the aphorism goes; thus, become aware of your strengths, abilities limitations,
interests, values, and priorities. Understanding who you are and what makes you unique will help you
achieve your highest potential and become a productive individual and a global citizen.

Examining the significant views from different disciplines and perspectives, as well as the various
aspects that constitute the self, this course endeavors to lead students towards self-discovery, a journey
exploring fundamental questions and issues on personal identity as they relate to individual life
experiences. It is a synthesis of multidisciplinary constructs and metacognitive tasks intended to help
students better understand themselves and cope with the challenges of life. Constructivist in approach,
the discussions have been designed to provoke critical and reflective thought so students can be guided
to develop their own theory of the self, whereas activities have been contextualized to help them make
real life applications of what they have learned; hence, improve on their lives and become catalysts for
change.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, the student will be able to:

1. discuss the various forces that shape that digital self,

2. examine how the social media can influence one’s view of self,
3. analyze the impact of digital advancement to one’s concept of identity,
4. demonstrate critical/reflective thought in integrating the digital aspect of self/identity and
5. manage and track personal learning goals by creating an e-portfolio or a personal journal.
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Learning Content

 Impact of Online Interactions on the Self (pp. 143-144)

Ariola, M. (2018). Understanding the self. Manila: Unlimited Books.

 Reasons for Engaging in the Digital Hype (pp. 129-130)

Magalona, E., Sadsad, E., & Cruz, E. (2018). Understanding the self: Developing life skills.
Manila: Mindshapers, Co., Inc.

Note: Books available in OCC library

The Impact of Digital Advancements on Identity (Magalona, et. al, 2018)

1. Disconnectedness
The increasing use of gadgets and presence in the social media results in being disconnected
from the people around us. As we rush to check and connect to the online world, we neglect to
interact face to face with those who demand attention from us. Often, we prefer to stay stuck
on the social media creating recent posts or stalking on someone else’s account for hours while
being mentally insensitive to what is happening around us. Such reality is what disconnects us
from our relationships.

2. Developing and Nurturing Virtual Relationship

The progressive development in the features of social networking sites allows individuals to gain
thousands of friends and even millions of followers, leading to virtual relationships which satisfy
the need for intimacy. Although it has positive impact on the individual, the same can also
cause inability to maintain face to face relationships which demand more personal adjustments
and understanding of human differences. Hence, relationships have become superficial as we
tend to nurture them only within the confines of the digital environment which demands simple
duties such as ‘liking’ or ‘sharing’ a friend’s recent online post.

3. Online Recklessness
The online world has provided its users the opportunity to express themselves by
communicating their thoughts and responses whether in the form of an emoticon, animated gif,
meme, or through traditional words. There are ways to express positive or negative feedback on
a recent post seen on a random feed in a social networking site. The digital world provides us
the chance of expressing our thoughts and viewpoints from the confines and comforts of our
room, but, do we really use this freedom with a sense of responsibility? If we state an
unconventional response that can trigger public outrage or collective reaction from all of those
who can see our raw reactions, are we willing to stand for the consequences? We are all liable
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for our acts but many have revealed the tendency to be reckless and irresponsible. After the
damage has been done through the posting of opinions or personal reactions online, the next
step is to delete the same. This is definitely a manifestation of extreme recklessness which does
not in any way help in the development of maturity among individuals.

4. Distorted Identity Formation

The digital world offers the opportunity to create several identities according to our heart’s
desire. An individual can change his/her citizenship, gender, looks, character, and status in the
online world. The desire to be someone else or to create an ideal ‘self’ in this realm can be
achieved instantly through the advanced features offered by social media apps. Nobody wants
to be rejected; everyone desires to be loved and accepted. Hence, we work towards an ideal self
or a new identity by enhancing our image. However, trying to gain acceptance by changing our
identity online drives us to become untruthful to ourselves.

5. A Significant Portion of Our Lives is Being Broadcast

The online world gives its users the chance to have that ‘celebrity feel’. For instance, in trying to
share the joy of consuming a well-plated meal, we pose it online; to show how we feel about a
recent break-up, we pose it online; to express our emotions about a heated argument with our
parents, we pose it online. This is how individuals spend each moment in their daily encounter
with life. We pose everything from food to travel to relationship status and minor or major
events in our life. This shows that every detail of what we pose online is for public consumption.
Without considering the risks, the online world has evidently become an outlet for most of us.

6. Digital Self-Harm
People also show how sad and problematic they are through the online space. The loneliness,
emptiness, and anxiety that digital technology produces result in the declining mental health
and the increasing rate of adolescent suicide. Because of the desire to express themselves,
people can post bad self-impressions about their looks and traits which later validate
insecurities and low self-concept. Engagement in this online behavior permits ‘cyber bullying’ as
the details about the individual’s weaknesses are set in front of the public eye.

7. Contribute to a Declining Mental Health

Prolonged exposure and engagement in the digital world can result in extreme loneliness and
severe anxiety especially among teens. The inability to gain attention from the significant others
results in sadness and frustration. This is contributing a lot to a declining mental health as the
individual is unable to overcome stress. Crimes arise due to this reality as they develop angst
(fear or worry), and heighten emotional issues which they cannot resolve in a more mature
manner.

8. Self-Obsession
Constant exposure to the online world has increased the incidence of ‘narcissism’. As social
networking sites allow escape from the daily woes of life, expectations consequently arise. Users
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expect that there will be following and responses to their posts - an image, a quote, an
emotional post evident through ‘likes’, ‘shares’, and ‘tweets’. This makes users preoccupied by
trying to produce their best photos and images and detailed account of their most recent
activities (for instance, the best image of the cup of coffee they have bought from that high-end
café with a location posted on their Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts). Individuals have
become engrossed in themselves – what they are doing now, who they are with, and what they
feel at the moment. The digital world has driven people to be ensnared by the ‘me, myself, and
I’ craze.

Consequently, the development of the social media has brought forth the introduction of
intangible elements which have become an extension of ourselves. What we post online and
keep offline have been part of our digital possessions. Electronic photos, emails, SMS, videos
and the like have become vital reflections of our digital self.

Readings

Walther, J. (2007). Selective self-presentation in computer-mediated communication:

Hyperpersonal dimensions of technology, language, and cognition. Computers in
Human Behavior, 23(5), 2538-2557   

Activities
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Recognizing that you have a Digital Self,

1. illustrate your own digital footprint and

2. explain how you can practice responsibility for the digital footprint you leave online.

Supplementary YouTube Videos on Digital Footprint

TEDx Talks. (2014, July 24). Digital footprints/Michelle Sadrena Pledger/TEDxHollywood [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlGyTp4Nd4M
TEDx Talks. (2019, June 5). Psychological targeting: What your digital footprints reveal about you/
Sandra Matz/TEDxChicago [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=MkI_TrPmKgA

Assignment

Research on the theme: Impression Management and Selective Self-presentation Online.

Create a collage or slogan based on the above theme. Explain your work.

Assessment

Essay Writing

Directions: Write an essay of not less than 120 words for each of the following questions. Answer must
be substantive.

1. How is the Digital Self formed through time?

2. Have the social media affected your concept of self and identity? Why or why not?

References
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Ariola, M. (2018). Understanding the self. Manila: Unlimited Books.

Brawner, D. & Arcega, A. (2018). Understanding the self. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.
Magalona, E., Sadsad, E., & Cruz, E. (2018). Understanding the self: Developing life skills. Manila:
Mindshapers, Co., Inc.
TEDx Talks. (2014, July 24). Digital footprints /Michelle Sadrena Pledger/TEDxHollywood [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlGyTp4Nd4M
TEDx Talks. (2019, June 5). Psychological targeting: What your digital footprints reveal about you/
Sandra Matz/TEDxChicago [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=MkI_TrPmKgA
Walther, J. (2007). Selective self-presentation in computer-mediated communication: Hyperpersonal
dimensions of technology, language, and cognition. Computers in Human Behavior, 23(5), 2538-
2557