DIGITAL SELF

How can we expect another to

keep our secret if we cannot
keep it ourselves.

-François de La Rochefoucauld
DIGITAL SELF
 Digital Self

Among the 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 with others through online interactions on the
internet, specifically in social networking sites. On
such sites, users normally disclose personal
information such as their name, age, birthdate, address,
and contact details.
Digital Self
Some users also provide very personal
information about themselves such as their
likes and dislikes, hobbies, favorite food,
favorite movies, places they have visited,
relationship status, thoughts and feelings, and
important events in their lives. This sharing of
personal information on social networking
sites may be related to the strong desire of
adolescents for social approval and
acceptance. Similar can be said about adults.
Self-Presentation
and Impression
Management
Self-Presentation and Impression
Management

John DeLamater and Daniel Myers (2012) cite that the

self is heavily influenced by feedback from others. The
impact of others whom people interact with depends
upon the nature of one's relationship with them.
Interaction with significant others may be very
influential to how one presents himself or herself in a
virtual space. The views of others through online
interactions (social networking) are so important that
they become part of the self.
Self-Presentation and Impression
Management

Personal information that individuals disclose through

online interaction which others Judge favorably through
"liking" and "reacting" contribute to positive self-concepts.
Nevertheless, people try to present themselves in such a
way to impress that is, to create positive impressions in
the eyes of other people. Self-presentation refers to an
individual's attempts, both conscious and unconscious, to
control how he or she projects himself or herself in social
interactions. Some forms self-presentation may be
authentic, but some may be tactical or selective.
Self-Presentation and
Impression Management

Self-presentation is inherent in all situations. The

widespread use of online interactions has increased the
opportunities to engage in self-presentation and
impression management. Most people strive to create
images that are positive. Thus, individuals use several
methods to create positive impressions of them. Some
individuals try to alter their appearances through what
they post on social networking sites such as Facebook,
Instagram, and Twitter by using photo editing tools.
Self-Presentation and
Impression Management
The desire to impress other people on social
media may lead to showing off one's work,
achievements, and material possessions in a
virtual place. Nevertheless, the desire to create
positive impressions and to be "liked" by others
may lead to consequences that can be risky to
one's security and mental health, such as identity
theft, cyberbullying, gossiping as well as anxiety
and depression. Thus, individuals should be very
careful with what they post or share on social
networking sites. People should still be mindful of
their privacy using social networking sites.
Expression of
Gender and
Sexuality Online
Expression of Gender
and Sexuality Online

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines sexuality as the

quality or state of being sexual while gender is the
psychological identification of a person as masculine or
feminine. Both could affect not only how people think
about themselves but also their relationships with others
and how others think of them as well (Cicarelli & White,
2012). Individuals tend to be categorized based on their
gender identities and sexuality in different types of
situations that are visible in different forms of media,
especially social media.
Expression of Gender
and Sexuality Online
The portrayal of male and female behaviors in media
could affect the construction of appropriate sexual
behaviors of people, especially adolescents. The
internet and social networking sites provide channels
for the dissemination of information, including
information about gender identity and sexuality. For
this reason, better and accurate information is now
becoming available. The Psychological Association of
the Philippines (PAP), for example, provides scientific
knowledge on the application of psychological
theories, concepts, and principles on gender identity
and sexual orientation to benefit society and improve
the lives of the members of the LGBTQ
Expression of Gender
and Sexuality Online

(lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, +) community. In the PAP

website, online resources and publications on LGBTQ+ issues,
resources, and information addresses bias and discrimination issues.
With the increasing urgency to uphold human rights and to protect the
dignity and equality of all persons of various sexual orientations, a
measure prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or
gender identity or expression is developed. In particular, the Anti-
Discrimination Act aims to protect the rights and welfare of the LGBTQ+
people in the Philippines. The act recognizes the important role of
telecommunications and social media in protecting, particularly, the
LGBTQ+ people from discriminatory acts.
The Importance of
Digital Technology
 The Importance of
Digital Technology
At present, the use of technology is essential for individual
survival and for communication with other people. Just as
the use of technology is becoming important for
individuals, it is also developing to be important for the
development of society. The Business Dictionary defines
technology as the application of information in the design,
production, and utilization of goods and services, and in the
organization of human activities. There have been so many
technological advancements over the past years.
Technology has changed the social features of people's
lives.
The Importance of Digital
Technology
It has altered the way people view the social dimension of
relationships and dictated new ways for people to relate with
one another. Advancements in computer and software
technologies have reached an impressive level. These
technologies improve not only very common areas of people's
daily life, but also areas of education, health, and production
industries (Mishra, Misra, Mueller, Perez, Bhatia, & common
wàng, 2014). Forms of technology such as digital technology
include all types of electronic equipment and applications
that use information in the form of numeric codes.
The Importance of
Digital Technology
Digital technology includes the use of devices that
process and use digital information such as
computers and mobile phones. Digital technology
has enabled volumes of Information to be
compressed in compact storage devices, so as to be
easily contained and delivered, minimizing the time
it takes for data to be transmitted. Digital
technology has immensely changed the pattern of
working as well as the learning of new concepts,
including communication. Innovations in mobile
phones, for example, resulted in the widespread use
of the internet and social networking
Impact of Online
Interactions on
the Self
Impact of Online
Interactions on the Self

The Philippines has the fastest growing internet population in Southeast

Asia. This can be rooted to majority of the Filipinos, particularly the youth,
use the internet primarily for social networking which is mostly used for
communication, information, and entertainment (Estuar, 2003; Bristol, Caro,
Mangaliman, & Bernarte, 2013; Ignatius & Hechanova, 2014). Iqbal, Khan, &
Malik (2017) suggest that mobile phones are ever more becoming a very
valuable part of the daily life of today's youth. They allow 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 and online
interactions limit face-to-face interaction with others and has drawn people
away from meaningful and intimate communication with families and friends.
Impact of Online
Interactions on the Self

Hence, the growing use of the internet and social networking

sites changes the social behaviors of individuals, families, and
societies as a whole. Hechanova and Ortega-Go find that the use
of internet has both positive and negative outcomes. In their
study, the use of relationships through easier ways of
communicating. Social networking can be an important facility
for debates on current issues in the country such as political
issues. It can also be a facility to express the opinions, needs, and
concerns of people. However, it is also through social networking
that identity theft, false information, and fake news are able to
circulate. Thus, the church, schools, and the government exert
efforts to prevent and effectively manage the spread of identity
theft, false information, and fake news in the country.
Impact of Online
Interactions on the Self

Most users of social networking sites prefer to be anonymous

may and sometimes use false names. Privacy and
confidentiality should be a major concern, especially for
adolescents who may not be entirely aware of the
consequences of sharing private information online, for anyone
to see. They usually post pictures and videos of themselves,
their friends, and family. Thus, adolescents are particularly
susceptible to cyberbullying, gossips, and stalking. For this
reason, the government together with academic and even
religious institution in the Philippines make efforts to prevent
and effectively manage the spread of identity theft, false
information, and fake news in the country.
Data Privacy Act
Data Privacy Act
To protect the people from invasion of privacy, Republic Act
10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012 was
passed in the Philippines. It act states that:
It is the policy of the State to protect the fundamental human
right of privacy, of communication while ensuring free flow of
information to promote innovation and growth. The State
recognizes the vital role of information and communications
technology in nation-building and its inherent obligation to
ensure that personal information in information and
communications systems in the government and in the private
sector are secured and protected. Personal information in this
context refers to any information, whether recorded in a material
form or not, from which the identity of an individual is apparent
or can be reasonably and directly ascertained by the entity
holding the information, or when put together with other
information would directly and certainly identify an individual.