Lesson 3

Unpacking the SELF

 DIGITAL SELF
• The digital self is the persona
you use when you’re online.
• Some people maintain one or
more online identities that are
distinct from their “real world”
selves; others have a single
online self, that’s more or less
the same as the one they
inhabit in the real world.
The Self in the Age of Technology

• Social media is defined

as the websites and
applications that make
it easier to create and
share information,
ideas, and interests. It
also allows people to
create other forms of
self-expression via
virtual communities and
networks.
The Self in the Age of Technology

• Through 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
called online
disembodiment. With this,
people are less likely to
display their real “selves”
to others, especially to
strangers
Digital Identity

• People generally have role identities. These are the

characters and roles an individual creates as a member of
a particular social group. Following this definition, “self” is
composed of identities ranked by importance. The greater
the commitment of an individual to a particular identity,
the greater the importance of this identity.
• In an online environment, one’s role identity is vitally
important in order for him/her to project himself/herself
in the said environment. Amidst the technological tools
and channels surrounding individuals and online activities
that people engage in, one’s online identity enables
him/her to participate in a virtual society.
Digital Identity

• However, participation in virtual environments

may entail changes that may affect a person’s
sense of self. In some cases, people present
themselves differently in online interactions as
compared to the face-to-face interactions they
engage in.
Online Disinhibition Effect

When people adapt fake identities, they are likely

to engage in behaviors that they would not do in
real life interactions, known as online disinhibition.
Online Disinhibition Effect

There are 2 main categories of behaviors that fall under

online disinhibition:

Benign disinhibition. It occurs when people tend to self-

disclose more on the internet than they would in real life
or go out of their way to help someone or show kindness.

Toxic disinhibition. People take part of this when they use

rude language, bully or threaten others on online
platforms, and go to websites with contents of violence,
crime, and pornography.
Why is the digital self so important?

• The simple reason is that once you go online as

your real self, using your own name or
appearance, you have an online presence that
can be traced back to you in the real world.
• Your online presence is hard to hide, difficult to
control, and easy for recruiters and hiring
managers to find.
• it’s important to manage your online identity
carefully, to ensure that your public image—your
brand—is presented in the best possible light.
By doing so, you reap a number of advantages:
• You have more control over your digital identity. It’s
not possible to have 100% control, but by building
your own online presence you’ll always maintain the
lion’s share.
• You can build a consistent identity, and reduce the
impact of problems that might put hirers or recruiters
off contacting you. Think of the damage control that
celebrities do when salacious stories start circulating—
it’s this kind of approach, but on a much smaller scale.
• You have the chance to develop your own reputation
as an expert or thought leader in your industry. This
can mitigate the negative effects of issues such as
ELEMENTS OF THE DIGITAL SELF
• Your online identity is like an investment.
• You start out with a small amount of capital, and
the way you use it over time determines how
much you end up with later on.
• The difference is, it’s actually a lot easier to
control your online identity than it is to predict
the stock or real estate markets.
• What goes into building your digital self? It can
and does include everything you say and do
under your own name
ELEMENTS OF THE DIGITAL SELF