Module Digital Self

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
The Digital Self RUVIELYN PEREZ SAJOLAN
Module
The Digital Self
Objectives:
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. Evaluate the impact of online interaction on the self.
2. Differentiate online identity from real identity.
3. Assimilate the meaning of digital self.
Motivational activity: 10 points

“I was not in my self, five minutes ago” this is sometimes happened to us. We did something
crazy that we regret later.
Using A4 bond paper narrate your facebook post that makes you feel like “I was not in my
self, five minutes ago”. (if possible screenshot your post)
The Digital Self

The digital self is the persona you use when
you’re online. Some people maintain one or
more online identifies 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.
Why is the digital self so important for your career? 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. Because of this, 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.
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 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 employment
gaps or an otherwise spotty work history.
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. Some elements of your digital self-include:
Given that your online behaviour makes a huge impact on how you present your digital self,
it’s important to always use social media with care and consistency—always aware of how
your personal brand can be affected by what you say and do. Always assume that potential
employers will perform an online search, so make sure that everything they find is positive
and professional.
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Impact of Digital Media on Individuals, Organizations and Society

Barak et al. (2008) found that because of the online disinhibition effect, individuals are able
to open up more in online support groups. This, they argue, fosters personal empowerment,
control, self-confidence, and improved feelings.
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The increased use of digital media is changing people’s everyday lives and the way they
connect and collaborate in the broader societal context, at work and in civil society. Much of
the impact of this heightened use is beneficial to both individuals and society. It is enabling
unprecedented levels of communication, social interaction and community building across
boundaries of time, place and social context. It is enabling individuals and speeding up the
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democratization of knowledge. New learning methods are possible (as has been evidenced by
the World Economic Forum’s New Vision for Education project), as are ways of working,
which are providing better opportunities to people in under-served communities and regions.
But not all the impacts of increased use of digital media are positive. Research indicates that
when humans excessively use digital media it can negatively influence their cognitive and
behavioural development and even their mental and physical health. Hyperconnectivity, the
increasing digital interconnection of people and things, has the potential to change patterns of
social interaction, as face-to-face time may be substituted by online interaction. In addition,
greater technology enablement of work (and the resulting fragmentation of jobs) threatens the
security of jobs traditionally considered as skilled in the developed world.
Clearly, it is important to understand the opportunities and the risks in increased digital media
usage, so that both industry and users can learn how best to exploit the benefits while
mitigating the negative effects.
Exercises
5
Essay: answer briefly (5 points each)

1. Explain the impact of online interaction on the self.
2. What are the differences between online identity and real identity?
3. Define of digital self.

Module Digital Self

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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

The Digital Self RUVIELYN PEREZ SAJOLAN

Motivational activity: 10 points

The Digital Self

By doing so, you reap a number of advantages:

Impact of Digital Media on Individuals, Organizations and Society

Essay: answer briefly (5 points each)

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