LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this chapter, the learner is expected to:

1. Understand the nature of digital 'self’;

2. Decipher on the Impact of digital advancements to one's
identity;
3. Learn how the social media altered the concept of the 'self’;
and
4. Identify how the digital self is formed through time
TECHNOLOGY – application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life.

The development of massive technology in the field of communications has immensely influenced the life,
work, habits and experiences of people across the globe. The constant increase in the use of digital
communication such as the social media has undeniably defined the formation of a digital self
among individuals. The impact of technological advances in every area of human life has evidently
expanded the concept of 'self’ among people.

Each has a digital self which is what we use to be a part of the technological world. This digital self is a
decoy that we use to conceal our real self. As we share our selves to the world we try to hide our true
self to cover up the issues that we have about ourselves and show the world that we are fine and perfect.
As we show the significant others, our cover through the digital self, we expect affirmation and acceptance.
Remarkably, the recent decade has introduced developments that created great impact in our lives
and some of them are the following:
•Internet
•Social Networking Sites (Facebook, Twitter, My Space, etc)
•Text Message or short message service (SMS)
•Smart phones
•Applications (apps)
•Youtube
•Blogs/ Vlogs
•Search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing
•World Wide Web
•Email
•Chat rooms
•Online shopping
•Dating sites
•GPS (Global Positioning System)
•Wifi or wireless network
•Game consoles (Play stations, Wii, etc.)
Studies have revealed how online decisions and preferences reflect tidbits about an individual's
personality and identity. Choices such as what song to play on Spotify; movies or shows to view on
Netflix and buy from Lazada, Alibaba and Amazon online stores provide information about our
interests and preferences. 

And as William James, the father of American psychology, has

Reiterated that each individual possesses personalities according to
his/her current situation which in turn reveals his/her digital identity.
The Impact of Digital
Advancements to Identity
Maslow's hierarchy of needs - motivational theory in psychology
describing the needs that drive human behavior.
SELF
ACTUALIZATION
Pursue Inner talent
Creativity Fulfillment

SELF-ESTEEM
Achievement Mastery

1
Recognition Respect

BELONGING-LOVE
Friends Family Spouse Lover

SAFETY
Security Stability Freedom from Fear

PHYSIOLOGICAL
Food Water Shelter Warmth

WIFI
BATTERY
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 being connect
to the online world we neglect to interact face to face with those who demand
attention from us.

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. This eventually leads to creating virtual relationships which
satisfies the need for relationships intimacy.
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, emoji, animated gif, meme or through traditional
words.

4. Distorted Identity Formation

The digital world offers the opportunity to create several identities
according to our hearts desire. An individual can change his 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 advance features offered in the social networking sites
as enhanced by open sourced application (Apps).
5. A significant Portion of Our lives is Being Broadcasted
The online world gives its users the chance to have that 'celebrity feel'. As a form of
expressing our awe on a ne gadget then we pose its image online; in trying to share
joy of consuming a well-plated meal then we pose it online etc.

6. Digital Self-Harm
Almost of similar degree to multilating one self we show how sad and problematic
we are through the online space. We tend to demean ourselves on public as we tend
to validate our insecurities and weaknesses among our online friends and followers.
Studies have revealed that around 6% of adolescents between the ages of 12-
17years are practicing this so-called "digital self-harm", and they are done through
the use of smartphones.
7. Contribute to a Declining Mental Health
Severe exposure and engagement in the digital world can result to extreme
loneliness and anxiety especially teens. The inability to gain attention from
the significant others results to sadness and frustration.

8. Self Obsession
Content exposure to the online world has evidently increased the incidence
of 'narcissism'. Many have become self-obsessed and self absorbed as
facilitated and promoted by the social media. As a social networking sites
allow escape from the daily woes of life, expectations consequently arise.
Users expect that there will be following and responses to their posts
whether it is an image, a quote, an emotional post evident through 'like'
'shares' and 'tweets’.
The digital world has inspired individuals to be so amazed about the "me,
myself and I" craze.

Consequently the development of the social media has brought forth the
introduction of intangible elements which become an extension of ourselves.
Those are what we post online and what we keep offline which become part of
our digital possessions. Photos, emails, SMS, videos and the like have become
vital reflections of our digital self.
Reasons for Engaging in the Digital Hype
1. Every individual desires to meet the expectation of the significant others in his/her life. Many
would not readily post their photos online but will edit or filter the same to ensure that they
look a lot better in their digital images. The use of several online applications (Apps) facilitates
this need;

2. Online posting of objects as well as current statuses is expected to receive responses and
reactions from their followers as in the form of "'likes' and 'shares. These are gestures that boost
their ego and self esteem.

3. As Abraham Maslow had stated in the Hierarchy of Needs' (1943), each has the need to
belong.' Everyone desires to blend in. And so when everyone on the social media poses photos
of his/her food then all others follow the trend. Uploading of these images creates a feeling of
being part of the hype.
4. The digital web provides individual with much more freedom to express
themselves in varied forms. Whether verbally or non-verbally these digital
platforms create an avenue to communicate and express ideas and views just
about everything;

5. The digital world allow the individual to achieve his or her 'ideal self whether
it is physical such as those provided by online applications to improve their
images physically. And it could also be emotionally as platform users can
express themselves by 'Vlogging' or even Blogging.' Whichever manner results
in an emotional experience that makes one feel 'good' about his or her self.
REPORTERS:
DIANA ROSE VIDANES
MARY GRACE LANON
HAYZ SAN JUAN
KING PLART CASTAÑEDA