DIGITAL

SELF
Dr. Ma. Joycelyn A. Go-Monilla
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the topic, you are able to:
1. Define digital self
2. Explain the role of mobile phones, internet,
and social networking in digital self.
3. Identify the Filipino values of social
networking.
4. Explain the role of the government, school,
and church in the prevention of identity
theft, false information, and fake news.
5. Describe the provisions of Data Privacy Act
of 2012.
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Digital Self
• Among Filipino youth, the use of digital
technology has now become part of the
self – the digital self.
• The digital self is the aspect of the self
that is expressed or shared to others
through the use of digital technology
especially the internet and social
networking.

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• On networking sites, users normally
disclose personal information such as
name, age, birthdate, address, and
contact number.
• Some users provide very personal
information about themselves such as
likes and dislikes etc.
• This sharing of personal information on
social networking sites may be related
to the adolescents’ strong desire for
social approval and acceptance.
• Similar can be said about adults. 4
Digital Technology
• Digital technology includes all types of
electronic equipment and applications that
use information in the form of numeric
code.
• Digital technology includes the use of
devices that process and use digital
information.
• Forms of digital technology include the use
of mobile phones. The rise of mobile
phones has resulted in the widespread use
of internet and social networking. 5
• Mobile phones are ever more becoming part of
the daily life of today’s youth.
• Digital technology allows the users to keep in
touch, connect with people, and be updated on
the activities and whereabouts of others.
• However, the use of digital technology limits
the face to face interaction with others and
drawn people away from meaningful and
intimate communication with families and
friends.
• The growing use of the internet and social
networking changes the social behaviors of
individuals, families, and societies as a whole.
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Social Networking in the Philippines
• The Philippines has the fastest growing
internet population in Southeast Asia.
• The rise is attributed to social networking.
• Majority of the Filipinos use the internet
primarily for social networking.
• The Filipino youth are the biggest users of
social networking in the past few years.
• They mostly use social networking for
communication, information, and
entertainment
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• However, it is also through social
networking that identity theft, false
information, and fake news circulate.
• Thus, the Church, schools, and
government in the Philippines make
efforts to prevent and effectively
manage the spread of identity theft,
false information, and fake news in the
country.

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Suggested Activity
• Answer the Internet Addiction Test
(IAT) by Dr. Kimberly Young. You may
download the test at
http://www.globaladdiction.org/dldocs/
GLOBALADDICTION-Scales-
InternetAddictionTest.pdf. What are
your insights on the outcomes of the
test?

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Reference:

Go-Monilla, J. & Ramirez, N. (2022).

Understanding the self. Quezon City: C&E
Publishing, Inc.

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