Topic Rundowns

 What is Digital Self?

o Definition

It 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. Jones (2007)
maintained that college students view cell phones, instant messaging and the
Internet as “extensions of themselves”

The evaluation by oneself of one’s worth as an individual in distinction from one’s

interpersonal or social roles. The number of people who are becoming more
active online continues to increase worldwide. More than half of the population
worldwide now uses the Internet.

• Almost two-thirds of the world population now has a mobile phone.

• More than half of the world’s web traffic now comes from mobile phones
• More than half of all mobile connections around the world are now
broadband

Media users in the Philippines grew by 12 million or 25%, while the number
of mobile social users increased by 13 million or 32%. Those growth figures
are still higher compared to the previous year. More than half the world now
uses a smartphone.

In this modern and most challenging level of technologically led changes in

society lies the Internet, a global collection, connection, or network of individual
selves that can find an expression that goes beyond all cultural restrictions.

These individual selves in the Internet or digital world can be seen in ‘profiles’ or
‘avatars’ and are apparent in professional networks, social networks, and
recreational networks. The individual seems to be offered a clean sheet in the
digital world, thus having the opportunity to transfer their sense of self into an
environment technically without restrictions.

There is greater self-expression from the individual in the online world regardless
of whether it is true. On social networks, one might choose to appear as living a
grandiose life again regardless of the truth in one’s real life.

Online identity is actually the sum of all characteristics and interactions, while
partial identity is a subset of characteristics that make up our identity.
  Self-Presentation

Social media is also a platform used for people to present their selves in a more
favorable light.

Types of Self-Presentation

 Self-Promotion –Showing that we are better or capable than others so others will
admire us or they would think highly of us.
 Ingratiation – You only want people to like you because you crave attention.
 Exemplification – Intentions to make others feel bad or make feel not good
Enough
 Intimidation – Instilling fear to other people because you want them to think that
you are dangerous.
 Supplication – You want to appear handicapped or unfortunate. But for some
there are reasons behind it (e.g. they might need help). Others do this to get
attention.

 The Disinhibited Self

THE DISINHIBITED SELF

Online Disinhibitions: The Causes:

1. DISSOCIATIVE ANONYMITY ("People Don't Know Me") - this is the confidence you
feel every time you anonymously engage in online activities.

2. INVISIBILITY ("People Can See Me") - in this factor you can sometimes intentionally
misrepresent yourself to come across as an entirely different person.

3. ASYNCHRONICITY ("See You When I See You") - time is a very important element in
face to face communications.

4. SOLIPSISTIC INTROJECTION ("It's All In The Mind") - we essentially communicate

online through type written words.

5. DISSOCIATIVE IMAGINATION ("It's All A Player") - simply put, this is the faulty belief
that online interaction is a game, and whose rules you can easily break with in
perceived implications.
6. MINIMIZATIONS OF STATUS AND AUTHORITY
("Your Rules Don't Work Online") - take notice how complete nobodies suddenly
have the guts to engage influential people in arguments on social media.

 Digital Citizenship

A person who develops the skills and knowledge to use the internet and digital
technologies effectively. They are also people who use digital technologies and
the internet appropriately and responsibly to engage and participate in society.
(Rwizi, F. 2017)

As good digital citizens of all ages, we need skills to behave safely and responsibly in
the digital world. We apply those skills in using a computer, the Internet, or a mobile
phone. The question of digital rights and responsibilities on the Internet still remains a
moving target. Digital rights should be sustained by a comprehensive, global view of
these rights. Problematic areas include the rights of women, minorities, and children.

Digital Literacy

 Capabilities possessed by individuals who are living, learning, and working in a

digital society You might be searching and navigating everyday through all types of
information. Then based on that information, you make certain decisions and you
share it socially with others using a variety of tools. Let’s pretend that you want to
book a trip to a beach. But first, you might research things like accommodation, food
and culture, and make travel plans based on what you find out. You might even
create an itinerary online and share it with your family.

 Digital literacy is about using technology confidently as you live, learn, and work in a
challenging digital world. It is important to be digitally literate in order to monitor and
evaluate information that you often see and receive online.

In short, one must practice the responsible use of technology.

 Online Disinhibition: lack of restraint that one feels when communicating online
There are two types of disinhibition:

1. Benign Disinhibition
 Speaking about emotions, fears, and wishes
 Showing kindness and helping others
 Combating loneliness through social interaction
 Finding emotional support
 These are the healthy types of disinhibition because these are some of the things
that you cannot freely speak offline. Especially if the people around you are not that
accepting or overly critical of your behavior.

2. Toxic Disinhibition
 Rude language, harsh criticism, anger, hatred, and threats
 Pornography and violence
 Cyberbullying
 Threatening, humiliating, spreading rumors, making fun of others
 Cyber harassment and exploitation

How to manage toxic disinhibition?

 Be careful about sharing: be careful what to share and what to post because
people may react differently
 Do not hang with the wrong crowd online: Use your social media accounts
appropriately and productively. Follow those individuals who give you inspiration
and who spread positivity.
 Consider your emotional state before posting: Avoid posting things when you are
feeling angry or frustrated. You might post something that you will regret later and
this might be taken against you.
 Consider other people’s reactions

Digital Age of Consent

The digital age of consent is the minimum age a user must be before social media
and companies can collect, process or store their data. When social media
companies have your data, they can share your private information with others and
use the data in any way that they want.

In the Philippines there is no clear digital age of consent hence a house was proposed to
amend the Republic Act 10173 or The Data Privacy Act of 2012 (“Act” or “DPA”) under
House Bill No. 898 broadly include:

 Defining biometric and genetic data.

 Expanding the exclusions on the applicability of the DPA.
 Redefining “sensitive personal information” to include biometric and genetic data, and
labor affiliation. Clarifying the extraterritorial application of the DPA by specifying clear
instances when the processing of personal data of Philippine citizens and / or residents
is concerned.
 Defining the digital age of consent to process personal information as more than fifteen
(15) years, applicable where information society services are provided and offered
directly to a child.
 Digital footprint

information which is left behind through your use of the internet, from the content you
post to the information that you search online.

Digital Etiquette

Online communication can make or break your online reputation. So it’s smart to follow
certain rules of the road — or the net — to assure that you don’t tarnish any
relationships. These cyberspace standards of behavior are known as netiquette.
Netiquette rules are important to teach to kids so that they act appropriately while surfing
the web and interacting with others online.

 Accuracy: Rumors spread very quickly in the online world. Endeavoring to be part of the
solution and not part of the problem is a step in the right direction. Verify anything before
posting or reposting. If one has mistakenly spread misinformation, own up to it and then
move on.

 Respect: As a rule, one should show others basic respect and kindness by not say
anything online that they would not also say offline. Show respect by being aware of
others' time when communicating online; tailor messaging accordingly.

 Email netiquette: Emails are more formal than texts or instant messages. Emails should
have complete, well-written sentences, with emojis making an appearance only when
necessary. However, emails can sign off informally with thanks.

 Appropriate language use: Language that is appropriate in one setting might be

inappropriate in another. One of the trickier things to get right online is tone. Hence,
emojis are a handy tool for getting across what words may not. Using emojis, though,
may mark the communication as more informal than intended.