MODULE 9-10 THE SOCIO-DIGITAL SELF

I. INTRODUCTION
This section examines the role of technology and the internet in shaping an
individual's social self, with emphasis on the use of social media platforms and
membership in virtual communities. This section highlights the crucial role of the
internet in forming the self and identity of millennial learners.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this section, students are expected to:
1. discuss and elaborate the different concepts of the socio-digital self;
2. identify factors that influence one's online behaviors; and
3. analyze and evaluate one's socio-digital behaviors and identify ways to manage
them effectively

II. PRE-COMPETENCY CHECKLIST

Think and reflect.

NAME: SECTION:
Give five advantages and five disadvantages of social media to you.

III. LEARNING RESOURCES/MATERIALS

Take time to read.
For your reference you may use the book, Understanding the Self by Jonathan
Veran Macayan, Jasmine Nadja Junghan-Pinugu, John Christopher Dimasaka
Castillo
 THE SELF IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY
With the rise of technology, ways of socializing have significantly changed. In the
past, interpersonal relationships can only be established through face-to-face interactions
within physical communities. Nowadays, people can interact with each other even if they are
not physically present in the same place. One of the innovations that improved people's
interaction and socialization processes is social media.
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. Social media has features that allow people
to communicate to specific
groups sharing common
interests (through chat, video
call, or posting of status and
photos) and become members
of virtual communities, be it
locally or globally. These
features make way for more
efficient ways of socializing
and communicating with
other people as well as enable
these communities to impact
thoughts and behavior.
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. Based on different studies, individuals are prone to create
digital identities, which are different from their "real selves."

DIGITAL IDENTITY
People generally have “role identities.” There are the characters and roles an individual
creates as a member of a particular social group. Following this definition, the "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. Hence, the importance of
one's particular role identity influences the behavioral choices an individual makes in a given
situation.
In an online environment, one's role identity is vitally important in order for him or her to
project himself or 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 or her to participate in a virtual society. Online activities such as
chatting, blogging, and even shopping online would require the person to establish a "digital

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 identity" which is defined as the identity a person claims in cyberspace. A digital identity
allows a person to be part of a virtual community that goes beyond physical and geographical
boundaries. By having a digital identity, one is able to leave online footprints in cyberspace.
The posts one makes on social media platforms, the online names one creates, the internet
friends one acquires, and things one "likes,
comments on, and shares" become part of
digital identity an individual creates. For some
people, their digital identities are an extension
of who they are. Personalities, interests, values,
and activities are often manifested in people's
online activities, especially on social media
platforms, where they relate themselves to
others in online environments. However,
participation in virtual environments may entail changes that may affect a person's sense of
self. In fact, in cyberspace, people are capable of creating multiple digital identities. People
are likely to behave differently when they are engaged in interactions on social media since
physical presence is not required of them. Social media enables individuals to adopt identities
independent of one's physical image. According to Turkle (1995), people can redefine
themselves on the internet. Assumptions made on the virtual world are different from those
of real life.
In some cases, people present themselves differently in online interactions as compared
to the face-to-face interactions they engage in. Social media also enables people to create
fake identities. An individual can create different social media accounts to hide his or her real
self. People tend to resort to creating fake digital identities so that they may be capable of
doing inappropriate acts without being identified.

ONLINE DISINHIBITION EFFECT

When people adopt fake identities, they are likely to engage in behaviors that they would
not do in real life interactions. This effect is known as online disinhibition (Suler, 2004).
There are two main categories of behavior that fall under the online disinhibition effect:
benign disinhibition and toxic disinhibition. Benign disinhibition 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. On the other hand, people take part in toxic disinhibition when
they use rude language, bully or threaten others on online platforms, and go to websites with
contents of violence, crime, and pornography.
People engage in online disinhibition due to a number of factors. These include the
advantage of anonymity, virtual invisibility, asynchronous communication (where there is no
need to deal with another person's reaction or feedback immediately), and personal
introjection (people tend to assign an identity to the other person that is also a reflection of
their own self). Somehow, these factors contribute to bridging social gaps and expressing
oneself in a way that one will not do in face-to-face interactions.

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MANAGING RESPONSIBLE ONLINE BEHAVIOR
It is important to regulate online behavior. Cyberbullying happens because of individulas
who display irresponsible and inappropriate online behavior. How can one behave
responsibly online? The following are some suggestions:
✓ Do not post or send anything that will embarrass you.
✓ Avoid posting statements when experiencing strong emotions.
✓ Do not hang out with the "wrong crowd" online.
✓ Do not hang out with the "wrong crowd" offline.
✓ Be careful with oversharing, especially confidential information that may be used
irresponsibly.
✓ Respect other people in the online community.

Following these suggestions, one can foster and project a healthy digital identity that
positively impacts his or her social self. People may learn new information, gain more
friends, widen their perspectives through healthy online sharing, and nurture better social
values in an online platform. Unlike in face-to-face interactions in which conversations may
be forgotten, online conversations leave digital traces that may remain indefinitely for others
to see. Thus, people should exercise decorum online, in the same way they exercise decorum
in real life.

SOURCE:
Macayan, J., Junghan-Pinugo, J., & Castillo, J., (2019). Understanding The Self. Quezon City: C
& E Publishing, Inc.
Image
Google

IV. EXPLORE

List down five insights that you’ve learned from this module.

V. DISCUSSION BOARD

For the online learners: We will be discussing your answers in the explore part
through our Google Meeting. Check our group chat for the code of our
meeting.

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 For the offline learners. You may share your thought about the activity in our
group chat.

VI. POST-COMPETENCY CHECKLIST

Instructions: Choose 2 post from your facebook account the first one is the moment
you are happy and the second one is the post that you think it is a toxic post or sad
post, or hugot post. Your post can be a picture or text or event.

You can simply screenshot the 2 post and paste it in the space below.

1. Based on the things you have posted on your Facebook account, what can you say
about yourself?

2. How do you feel about your posts?