MODULE FIVE – POLITICAL AND DIGITAL SELF

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

 explain and elaborate on the nature of active citizenship and how it relates
to political self; and
 articulate why Aristotle stated that 'Man, by nature, is a political animal.

1. Politics and the Self

The Self is a dynamic construct in that it is shaped by external forces and

personal factors. Active citizenship embraces one’s individuality through the
choices a person makes and the behaviors they manifest. Early exposure to
politics and political systems may augment adolescents’ development of themself.
It fosters critical thinking, the formation of advocacies, comprehension, and
understanding, and genuine concerns for the environment and communities.
Such exposure may lead to the successful adaptation of particular advocacy and
ensure everyone benefits in the long run.

Our political self is a result of various personal and environmental factors

that impact the individual. Our political identity doesn’t begin at the age of voting;
together with active citizenship, our awareness of community concerns may lead
to the optimal development of strong, intelligent, and passionate community
leaders and youth participants. Thus, there is no such thing as a right time to start
becoming involved; adolescent participation in political activities can strengthen
their standpoints, allowing them to be heard by the general public, and ensuring a
strong, stable state, shaped by a strong, stable citizenry. As adolescence is a time
of searching for identity and establishing a core Self, imbibing active citizenship,
becoming aware of issues pervading society, engaging in political discourse, and
other similar behaviors can shape the millennial generation to become effective
agents of change.

The political self makes an individual explore the political mindset of

integration, interconnection, interaction, and interrelatedness/interdependence
to another individual or society in general. Politics is derived from the Greek word
Politika from Aristotle’s classic work which means “affairs of the cities”, Latin/Old
French word polis which means “city”, polites which means “citizen”.
Synonymously, it can relate to assessment or government.

Man is by nature, a political animal. - Aristotle

In his Politics, Aristotle believed that man was a "political animal" because
he is a social creature with the power of speech and moral reasoning:

Hence it is evident that the state is a creation of nature, and that man is by
nature a political animal. And he who by nature and not by mere accident is
without a state, is either above humanity, or below it; he is the ‘Tribeless, lawless,
heartless one,’ whom Homera denounces—the outcast who is a lover of war; he
may be compared to a bird which flies alone.

Aristotle’s statement that man is a “political animal” can be taken in a

number of ways. One reading is to say that man is naturally sociable and that they
are naturally drawn to various political associations in order to satisfy their social
needs. Another reading, which sees the word “political” in a less charitable light,
might state that, since politics is based upon violence and threats of violence, the
phrase emphasizes the “animal” side of human nature rather than its rational and
cooperative side. Those who turn their back on the violence inherent in politics, in
Aristotle’s view, also turn their back on society - they declare themselves to be
outlaws, without a “tribe”, and without a heart.

Man is a thinking animal. The man is in the scheme of nature as a “thinking

animal.” The spirit which distinguishes man as a rational being is “incapable of
being destroyed” It is a special part of the psyche (soul), which in turn is the force
that animates the body. The soul is the body “trained”, and contrary to the spirit
of Plato, does not have a separate existence from the body. Thus, it does not
survive the death of the body. However, the soul has both currency and potential.
The soul is also effective, that is to say, the formal cause and final body. In other
words, the soul has a purpose and carries with it the means to achieve this end.

What is Politics? Politics refers to the science and art of government or the
political state of a government or country, associated with governance in order to
achieve power. As members of society, we are naturally obligated to participate
as social citizens in a political system. As citizens, we become aware of our duties
and responsibilities that should empower us to participate in state and political
affairs. Politics refers to “the actions or activities concerned with achieving and
using power in a country or society.” It is also defined as “the ways that power is
shared in an organization and the ways it is affected by personal relationships
between people who work together.” Aristotle mentioned that “man is by nature
a political animal.” This is because man is a social being and they are naturally
drawn to various political associations in order to satisfy their social needs.

Politics, as imbibed by man, implies several things:

 First, politics is concerned with power. We observe power inequalities in

within our societies. There are those whose position ranks high in the social
hierarchy and thus, wields much power compared to those in the lower
class. The one who holds the power holds much influence.

 Second, politics is about contexts. The nature of politics and political

systems is dependent on the culture of the state. The characteristics of
people, cultural traditions they observe, value orientations, economics,
education, religion, and other similar institutions shape the political
landscape of any country.

The Political self is best exemplified by Filipino customs and traditions,

pakikipagkapwa-tao or the camaraderie spirit, such as mourning for the dead,
comforting the sick, helping the needy, the less, least and have-nots, and
underprivileged. Servitude seems to be the typical example of political self, “To
serve and not to be served”, God-like Christian principle.

Developing a Filipino Identity

Given the diversity of the Philippines, the unifying element of Filipino

culture is a complex matter. A sense of national identity emerged out of the long-
standing struggle for independence. In the contemporary Philippines, many
Filipinos are acutely aware of the colonial history of their country. For example,
José Rizal, a national hero in the struggle for Philippine independence, is a highly
revered and well-known figure whom many Filipinos look up to as a role model of
a virtuous person.
 The sense of national identity is fragile, with loyalty residing firstly to their
kin group, province, or municipality. The Philippines is a collectivist society and
individuals tend to understand themselves as a part of a group. For Filipinos, the
interests of the collective often override the interests of the individual. Filipinos
generally feel a strong sense of pride towards their group and will celebrate their
pride through sharing stories or facts about their family, barangay (village), or
town.

The long history of contact with Spain and the United States continues to
have a significant impact on the Filipino identity. One example is the influence of
American standards of beauty, which are often measured in the Philippines by the
possession of Western physical traits – such as fair skin and curly hair. Another
example is the prominence of Christian ideology since the introduction of
Christianity by the Spanish. Indeed, when compared to other countries on the
Asian continent, the Philippines has one of the highest Christian populations.

The Filipino culture is a mix of both eastern and western cultures. The beliefs
and traditions of the pre-colonial Philippines were mainly an indigenous Malay
heritage. The Malays made a large contribution to Philippine history. The Malay
temperament is a basic factor of a Filipino personality. It can be best described as
“being nice and pleasant to others.” Additionally, the important role of the family
in Filipino culture stemmed from the strength of the Malay family clan that served
as a strong security unit.

When the Spaniards colonized the islands, the Hispanic culture influenced the
natives. Christianity became the dominant religion, and a western-based social
and political organization was established in the Philippines.

The Americans shaped the modern Filipino culture, and this is primarily
manifested by the widespread use of the English language in the Philippines
today. It was these influences that formed the Filipino character. The brief
occupation of the British (1762-1764) and the (1942-1945), however, had no
cultural influence in the Philippines at all.

National Identity
 In general, when discussing national identity, the focus tends to be on being
a citizen of a country. The role of culture on identity should never be
underestimated. “The Filipino identity is not static. A Filipino’s self-image can be
as varied as his or her background. It goes without saying that all Filipino’s self-
images can be as varied as his or her background. It goes without saying that all
Filipinos are alike regardless of all these. His consciousness of being a Filipino
psychologically defines him as one, no matter how he sees and defines the
Filipino” (Enriquez, 1977)

Who is considered a Filipino?

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines tells us who the citizens of the
Philippines are:

 Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of
this Constitution;
 Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;
 Those who are naturalized in accordance with the law.

Ways on How to Acquire Philippine Citizenship

There are two (2) generally recognized forms of acquiring Philippine

citizenship:

 Jus soli (right of soil) is the legal principle that a person’s nationality at
birth is determined by the place of birth (e.g. the territory of a given
state).
 Jus sanguinis (right of blood) is the legal principle that, at birth, an
individual acquires the nationality of his/her natural parent/s.

Naturalization is the judicial act of adopting a foreigner and clothing him

with the privileges of a native-born citizen. It implies the renunciation of a former
nationality and the fact of entrance into a similar relation towards a new body
politic.

However, citizenship is not the only element we need to consider in

identifying who a Filipino is. History, culture, traits, and values are also part of
what makes one a Filipino. To be a Filipino is to know the different traits and
cultures that are embedded in the hearts of everyone who is called a Filipino.

Filipino Traits and Values

Any geographical unit has common traits and values. For Filipinos, the
following are what we are most known for (some of them are positive traits, while
some are negative traits, can you tell which is which?):

 The Filipino Hospitality. A true trademark of Filipinos that involves;

 welcoming guests and tourists as if they are blood-related
 making their guests “feel at home”
 bringing out their best sets of plates and utensils for honored guests
and would even go as far as spending a lot of money and going into.

 Respect for Elders.Filipinos greet and address their elders in distinct ways
to show respect. Mano culture, po at opo Ate for older sister, Kuya for
older brother, Tito for uncle, Tita for aunt, Lola for grandmother and Lolo
for grandfather, Manong and Aling for older people outside the family.
 Cheerful Personality (Joy and Humor). Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-
loving approach to life. We have a pleasant, happy disposition that
contributes not only to Filipino charm but also to the indomitability of
spirit. It has been said that smiling is a coping strategy for many Filipinos
especially during trying times and will always try to maintain a positive
outlook in life.
 Self-Sacrifice. the giving up of one's own interests or wishes in order to
help others Filipinos often wish comfort and better lives for their loved
ones and would even go to the extent of working abroad hundreds of miles
away to earn more money and save up for themselves (OFW).
 The Spirit of Bayanihan. Derived from the word Bayan which means town,
nation, or a community in Bayanihan literally means “being a bayan” and is
thus used to refer to the spirit of communal unity and cooperation. A
traditional system of mutual assistance in which the members of a
community work together to accomplish a difficult task. In later use also: a
spirit of civic unity and cooperation among themselves. Usually observed
during calamities, but best exemplified by the old tradition of neighbors
helping to relocate a family by carrying the whole house (bahay kubo).
  “Bahala Na” Culture. It is the Filipino version of the famous line “Hakuna
Matata” meaning no worries. The phrase is said to have originated from
“Bathala na,” where Bathala means God.
 Colonial Mentality. Colonial mentality is regarded as the lack of patriotism
and the attitude where Filipinos favor foreign products more than their
own. It does not only concern goods, but also the desire to look more
foreign than local and keep up with foreign beauty trends.Attributed to the
centuries of colonization Filipinos had experienced under the Spanish,
American, and Japanese
 Manana Habit. Filipino term for procrastination. Derived from longer
Filipino phrase “Mamaya na”. Poor habit of laziness that results in heavier
workloads
 Ningas Kugon. “Ningas” is a Filipino term for flame and “kugon” is a term
for Cogon grass that easily burns out after it is put into flames. Refers to the
attitude of eagerly starting things but quickly losing eagerness soon after
experiencing difficulty, just like how fast fire burns Cogon grass.
 Pride. A high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit,
or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing,
conduct, etc. Filipinos are known for being prideful (e.g. holding on to their
pride as if they are more precious than keeping a good relationship with
family and loved ones). A lot of Filipinos find it hard to apologize first.
 Crab Mentality. Resents the achievement of another, instead of feeling
happy for that person. Just like crabs in a container, they pull each other
down and ruin each other’s reputation rather than bringing them up,
resulting to no progress.
 Filipino Time. Arriving late at commitments, class, dinner or parties
especially if they are meeting someone close to them.

Proverbs or Salawikain. These are sayings that convey lessons and reflections on
Filipino practices, beliefs, and traditions. An example of a Filipino proverb are the
sayings “Kung may tiyaga, may nilaga” and “Kung ano ang itinanim, siyang
aanihin”.

Superstitions. A belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the

ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding,
or the like. Some Filipino superstitions are passed down from generation to
generation. Some of these may be influenced by beliefs from other cultures but
Filipinos have retold these superstitions according to their own. Some examples
are:
 Serving pancit (noodles) at birthdays - believed to represent long life.
 Referred to as either “usog” or “bati”, this superstition says that when a
person with strong energy greets a child, the child may soon after
suffering from unexplainable discomfort.
Developing Active Citizenship

Active Citizenship.
 Active citizenship has been a popular topic for researches across several
disciplines. It includes “structured forms of engagement with political
processes and everyday forms of participation in society”.
 Active citizenship is anchored on our cognitive and behavioral engagement
to participate in formal political activities.
 Active citizenship enables democracy. Democracy should not only be
thought of as a form of government; it is a communal system that allows
volitional freedom of citizens to make informed choices that allows them to
be heard.
 Active citizenship is a social construct. It fosters social relatedness and
belongingness.

Most adolescents would say that “we do not have the power to inspire
change” or that “we are not heard so why should we speak up”. However, let us
not forget that you are the future leaders of our country. The advantage of youth
is their zeal and optimism in effecting change for the country. Youth participation
should not be the exception, but rather the norm. In politics where cynical
attitudes dominate among older individuals, youth participation provides a breath
of fresh air in raising issues and concerns that impact society in general.

Active citizenship is also associated with a “sense of community.” People,

including adolescents, participate in communal activities because it is their way of
“giving back”. The sense of community they feel with their location also
persuades adolescents to do something for their respective communities,
especially those community groups considered to be a minority. Active citizenship
may facilitate ethnic pride and provide a voice to the woes of their social group.

How do we develop Active Citizenship?

 Active citizenship means people getting involved in their local communities
and democracy at all levels, from towns to cities to nationwide activity. Active
citizenship can be as small as a campaign to clean up your street or as big as
educating young people about democratic values, skills, and participation. Active
citizenship is one of the most important steps towards healthy societies.
As we understand it, active citizenship is a combination of knowledge,
attitude, skills, and actions that aim to contribute to building and maintaining a
democratic society. Active Citizenship supports democratic cooperation that is
based on the acceptance of universal human rights and the rule of law, values
diversity, and includes the whole community. Education towards gaining this
knowledge and developing and practicing the skills take place in all levels of our
shared social life, but schools play a very important role in it.

What are the benefits of engaging in active citizenship?

For the younger generation, it has a significant impact on positive youth

development. Opportunities to participate in such activities can make adolescents
aware of issues, challenges, and concerns that plague communities and states,
which may, in turn, lead to advocacies for reforms. Engaging in such behaviors
can also enhance the efficacy and competence of the young generation, as they
are considered to be “future leaders” of society. The millennial generation has
several tools at their fingertips to initiate change reforms, which poses a
disadvantage to the older generation, given that these millennial youths are
technology-savvy. The participation of the adolescents in nation-building activities
enhances their value orientation and fosters integrity, compassion, and a sense of
justice, which is crucial for the holistic development of present learners.

Political Rights and Privileges.

What laws or legal documents ensure the political rights and privileges of
Filipino citizens?

The rights of Filipinos can be found in Article III of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution. Also called the Bill of Rights, it includes 22 sections that declare a
Filipino citizen’s rights and privileges that the Constitution has to protect, no
matter what. Aside from various local laws, human rights in the Philippines are
also guided by the UN's International Bill of Human Rights – a consolidation of 3
legal documents including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the International
Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

Why are rights important to citizens?

It is extremely important to know our legal and Constitutional rights. These
rights are the foundation of our legal system and are in place for the protection of
every citizen of this country. Failure to know and utilize these rights leads to their
erosion and possibly to you getting yourself deeper into trouble. Human rights are
the basic rights inherent to all human beings from birth until death. These rights
include the right to life and liberty, personal security, freedom from torture,
freedom from discrimination, and freedom from arbitrary arrest, among others.
The political self, before combatting the great challenges of modern times, need
to equip himself with the corresponding ethical standards of society.

What are human rights?

Human rights, according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, refers
to norms that aim to protect people from political, legal, and social abuses.
human rights are a vital component of most modern democracies. Human rights
allow a person to live with dignity and in peace, away from the abuses that can be
inflicted by abusive institutions or individuals. But the fact remains that there are
rampant human rights violations around the world. The United Nations (UN)
defines human rights as universal and inalienable, interdependent and indivisible,
and, equal and non-discriminatory:
 It is universal and inalienable. Human rights belong to all and cannot be
taken away unless specific situations call for it. However, the deprivation of
a person's right is subject to due process.
 It is Interdependent and indivisible. Whatever happens to even one right –
fulfillment or violation – can directly affect others.
 It is equal and non-discriminatory. Human rights protect all people
regardless of race, nationality, gender, religion, and political leaning, among
others. They should be respected without prejudice.

Human rights can also be classified under individual, collective, civil,

political, economic and social, and cultural. Human rights are both rights and
obligations, according to the UN. The state – or the government – is obliged to
“respect, protect, and fulfill” these rights. Respect begets commitment from the
state that no law should be made to interfere or curtail the fulfillment of the
stated human rights. Protecting means that human rights violations should be
prevented and if they exist, immediate action should be made.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

 Right to equality
 Freedom from discrimination
 Right to life, liberty, and personal security
 Freedom from slavery
 Freedom from torture and degrading treatment

What are the Rights and Duties of a Filipino Citizen?

 As to duties, every Filipino citizen is asked to uphold this Constitution, obey

the laws of the land, pay taxes, and cooperate with the duly constituted
authorities in the attainment and preservation of a just and orderly society.
It shall be the duty of every citizen to be loyal to the Republic of the
Philippines, honor the Philippine Flag, defend the State, contribute to its
development and welfare, uphold the Constitution and obey the laws, pay
taxes, and cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in the
attainment and maintenance of the peace and order in the country.

 As to rights, it includes the following: the right to use and dispose of his
property, the right to practice one's profession, and the right to make a
living. In other words, a Filipino citizen cannot be deprived of his life,
liberty, or property and is given the chance to defend himself.

Specifically, it is the duty of every Filipino:

 To be loyal and honor the Philippine flag

 To defend the State and contribute to its development
 To uphold the Constitution and obey the laws
 To cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in the attainment and
preservation of a just and humane society.
Article III of 1987 Constitution – My Statutory Rights
 Right to receive a minimum wage
 Right to preliminary investigation
 Right to information
 Right to a fair and speedy trial
 Right to remain silent and seek counsel
 Right to bail
 Right to vote
 Right to privacy
 Freedom of opinion.

2. The Concept of Digital Self

Have you ever wondered how your parents communicate with their loved
ones during their time? Or how do they manage to finish their studies by just
plainly using textbooks? Indeed, there are lots of differences if we are to compare
your generation with that of the olden days. From generation to generation, we
witness the ever-dynamic enhancement of technology, as well as awesome
innovations that drastically change the lifestyle of the people. In the past, the only
means of communication is through writing, telegrams for emergency calls, and
for those who can afford, the best alternative is telephone calls.

As time goes by, the invention and emergence of pagers or beepers made
communication better as it receive and display alphanumeric or voice messages.
However, the entry of cellular phones and different social media platforms totally
changes the face of the earth. Modern technology rendered the previous
advancements null and void.

This advancement of modern technology dramatically affects our real self-

concept or and to some extent, the ideal self that we have developed based on
what we have experienced and learned. But in what ways does modern
technology affect our real and ideal self-concept?

Let us examine this example: Margarita posts in her different social media
platform account everything that is happening to her. Social media serves as her
outlet after long days of work and provides her with relief. She shares everything -
from her day-day activities to her innermost feelings. What Margarita portrays in
her social media account is her digital self and when we say digital self, we refer
to the persona we use when we are online. Digital self spans everything from text
messages to fashion styles, our trips, previous and present job statuses, and many
other significant and insignificant points in between.

According to Hill (2018), our digital self can become our vivid
representation of our wants, needs, motivations, and insecurities. There are three
elements of the digital self:

 Your online behavior (the number of times you update your status on
Facebook),
 Your online voice (the conversations you do with other people in your
social media account), and
 Your online presentation (how you create a social media profile to present
yourself).

Digital Natives. Digital natives, as coined by Mark Prensky (2001) refer to the
individuals who were born after the widespread adoption of digital technology.
The individuals who have grown up using technology such as the Internet,
computer, and mobile devices are known to be the following:

 Millennial generation (born between 1981 and 1996),

 Generation Z (born between 1996 and 2020), and
 Generation Alpha (born between 2011 and 2025).

Since the enormous rise of digital technology happens during the millennial
generation, then it follows that not all individuals in this generation are digital
natives. Some of the characteristics in the era of digital natives are the following:

 Generation Z individuals are intuitive and participative learners, have a high

capacity to do multi-tasking tasks, speak tech, knows what they need to
work on, and see the world in less hierarchical terms; and
 General Alpha individuals are more immersed in technology, can learn in
visual and interactive teaching methods, and are more inclusive and aware
of their public image. Digital immigrants, on the other hand, are individuals
who were born before the widespread use of digital technology. Generally,
these are individuals who were born before the Millennial generation. Since
 a vast array of modern digital technology arises, to be in the digital native
era has both its advantages and disadvantages.

Digital Identity

In the many digital platforms, the different persona is being used when
online. Some people maintain one or more online identities that are somehow
distinct from their real 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 this so? The simple
reason is that once you use your real identity, some unscrupulous people might
make use of your account in their foul activities. Because of this, it’s important to
manage your online identity carefully.

The development of technology has led us to many mind-blowing

discoveries, better facilities, and better luxuries, but at the same time has
dramatically changed our daily lives. Various highly-developed gadgets, connected
to the internet, have changed the way we communicate, use humor, study, work,
shop, play, and behave (Turner, 2020).

Advantages and Disadvantages of Digital Life

Having a digital life has its pros and cons. It can link people to people,
knowledge, education, and entertainment anywhere globally at any time in an
affordable, nearly frictionless manner. It can revolutionize civic, business,
consumer, and personal logistics, opening up a world of opportunity and options.
It can empower people to improve, advance, or reinvent their lives, allowing them
to self-actualize, meet soul mates, and make a difference in the world. In contrast,
people's cognitive capabilities will be challenged in multiple ways, including their
capacity for

People can become addicted to the usage of digital technology. The

personal agency will be reduced and emotions such as shock, fear, indignation,
and outrage will be further weaponized online, driving divisions and doubts.
Information overload, trust issues in face-to-face skills, and poor interface designs
can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, inactivity, and sleeplessness. The structure
of the internet and the pace of digital change invite ever-evolving threats to
human interaction, security, democracy, jobs, privacy, and more.

As we adapt to changes in our modern world, we must consider its

implications to our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of well-
being. We must be careful of the information we post online, how to portray our
behavior online, and the way we communicate with other people online.

The Socio-Digital Self

In the end, you should be able to:

 discuss the concepts of digital citizenship and how its use enables one to
become digital citizens;
 explain the importance of technology in our lives and how it impacts the
self; and,
 classify the different concepts of the socio-digital self.

The Socio-Digital Self. Nowadays, it is not merely tangible belongings that

researchers consider as part of our extended self. Our digital possessions such as
photos, videos, statuses, texts, and emails are now considered to be significantly
important in shaping our digital self. Our digital self has become a vivid
representation of our desires, needs, motivations, and insecurities.

With the rise of technology, our way of socializing has significantly changed.
Before, when we wish to talk to a person, we really need to approach them
personally. But now, when we want to talk to a person, whether they are near or
far, they are just a social network away. One of the innovations that improved our
socialization processes is the use of social media. Sociological perspectives tell
that people have “role identities”.

These are the characters and the roles an individual creates as a member of
a particular social position. The ‘self’, on the other hand, is the hierarchical
ordering of identities by salience. It is known that the greater the commitment to
identity is, the greater the salience of this identity. Hence, the salience of identity
impacts behavioral choices in a situation.
 However, with the presence of the internet, our identity is affected. As
mentioned, people tend to separate themselves from their physical body while
engaged in social media, thus, disembodiment. It is known that social media
allows us to adopt identities independent from our bodies.

Impact of Online Interactions on the Self. In 1998, one of the first studies of the
effect of internet use revealed how it affects in general, social relationships and
participation in offline community life (Kraut et al., 1998). The following are its
findings:

 The more time you spent online could cause a decline in communicating
with family members.
 The use of social networking sites (SNS) may possibly determine the
subjective perception of well-being and life satisfaction
 Social networking was also found to be addictive. Some chronic users who
have suddenly stopped online social networking may display signs and
symptoms, like anxiety, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, headaches, poor
concentration, depression, social Isolation.

What makes us so addicted?

 Communication occurs during interaction and our need to be connected
and interact with others is universal and unavoidable.
 Communication is necessary in our unending search for sense and meaning
to our world. “One can not communicate” (Watzlawick & the Palo Alto
School, 1967).
 The social world is socially constructed through interactions between
people: roles, rules, categorizations, stereotypes, and so on.
 Social validation is an important part of being human, that is why a simple
Facebook “like” or a Twitter “Favorite” makes us feel good and want to
crave for more.
 Should you make your online account public or private?

Public - Behaviors that are open to the observation of other people.

Private - refers to mental events in a person that are inherently unobservable by
others.

Possible advantages of making your online profile public:

  Facilitates open communication that could lead to better and faster
information discovery and delivery.
 Allows open discussion on ideas and the posting of news, asking of
questions, and sharing of links.
 Provides an opportunity to widen business contacts.
 Targets a wide audience, making it a useful and effective tool to increase
your network of friends.
 Improves advertising of products
 Expands market research, implement marketing campaigns, deliver
communications, and direct interested people to specific websites.

Possible risks of making your online profile public:

 Opens up the possibility for hackers to commit fraud and launch spam and
virus attacks.
 Increases the risk of people falling prey to online scams that seem genuine,
resulting in data or identity theft.
 Potentially results in negative comments and bashing.
 Advantages of making your online profile private:

 You have control over viewers of your wall.

 You only connect with those you want to communicate with.
 Your online profile is protected from scammers and bashers.
 Disadvantages of a private profile:

 Your network is very limited; you close your doors to opportunities that
social networking brings.
 Your engagement is very low.
 You do not get to meet interesting people with whom you can exchange
ideas or you can learn.
 If you are an entrepreneur, a private profile will not help grow your
business.

Online Disinhibition Effect (Suler, 2004). When we behave differently in virtual

spaces than we would in face-to-face interactions, we loosen up, we become less
restrained and we tend to express ourselves more openly. This phenomenon is
known as online disinhibition.

There are two main categories of behavior that fall under the online
disinhibition effect:

 Benign disinhibition - that includes behavior in which people tend to self-

disclose more on the internet than they would in real life. Also, they tend
to go out of their way to help someone or show kindness.

 Toxic disinhibition - which, on the other hand, includes behavior that in

which people tend to use rude language, threats, and visiting places of
pornography, crime, and violence on the internet. They may also go to
places they might not have been to in real life.

Even though there are people who exhibit online disinhibition, it should be
noted that not every person will be disinhibited in the same way or to the same
level in virtual interactions. Individuals can be predisposed to being more
disinhibited based on personality. The intensity of a person’s underlying feelings,
needs, drives, and the likes affect susceptibility to online disinhibition as well.
Even though not all online disinhibitions are bad, it is better and safer for us to
create a digital footprint that is worth looking at.

Digital Citizenship

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

 discuss the concepts of digital citizenship and how its use enables one to
become a digital citizen; and
 articulate how good digital citizenship leads to the proper handling of
oneself in mass media.

Digital Citizenship. Karen Moss Berger in her book “Digital Citizenship: The
Internet, Society, and Participation” defined digital citizens as "Those who use the
internet regularly and effectively with a full understanding of digital citizenship,
which is the appropriate and responsible behavior when using technology.” Since
digital citizenship evaluates the quality of an individual's response to membership
in a digital community, it often requires the participation of all community
members, both visible and those who are less visible. A large part of being a
responsible digital citizen encompasses digital literacy, etiquette, online safety,
and an acknowledgment of private versus public information.
Digital citizenship is anchored on three general principles: respecting
oneself and others, educating oneself and others, and protecting oneself and
others. Technology is both a bane and a boon. On one hand, our way of life has
been uplifted due to the convenience that technology brings. Everything is faster,
access is made easier, and the outputs are enhanced. With the rapidly changing
environments we live in, people are likely to be engulfed in technology. Digital
citizenship serves the purpose of regulating human behavior in a highly-
technological and digital world.

A major concern of this digital era is how technology shapes our self and
identity. There is no doubt that the beliefs, value orientation, and behavior of
individuals, especially the millennial generation, are heavily influenced by
technology. One concept that is related to one’s digital self is online disinhibition.
It is defined as “the lack of restraint one feels when communicating online in
comparison to communicating in-person.”

General Principles of Digital Citizenship

The permeating nature of technology has also influenced the various

technological and online behaviors we manifest. Within the concept of digital
citizenship, there are nine (9) themes that cover these behaviors based on the
general principle, namely:

A. Respecting Oneself and Others

 Digital Access – full electronic participation in society
 Digital Etiquette - Electronic standards of conduct or procedure.
 Digital Law - electronic responsibility for actions and deeds, especially with
ethics of technology

B. Educating Oneself and Others

 Digital Commerce - Electronic buying and selling of goods.
  Digital Communication - Electronic exchange of information.
 Digital Literacy - Process of teaching and learning technology and the use of
technology.

C. Protecting Oneself and Others

 Digital Rights and Responsibilities - Those freedoms extended to everyone
in the digital world.
 Digital Health and Wellness - Physical and psychological well-being in a
digital technology world.
 Digital Security - electronic precautions to guarantee safety

Responsible Use of Social Media

Nowadays, people are more inclined to show their own personalities

online. The internet becomes a multi-media venue for showcasing our personal
traits and qualities. The way we view ourselves, our sense of self is expressed
through the world wide web. Apart from social media, the use of certain internet-
based applications and mobile apps can be an indicator of the kind of person we
are and if the values and beliefs we uphold are also expressed in our online
behavior.

Thus, technology and the internet can be a basis for evaluating our
consistency of self; how we project ourselves in real-life, face-to-face interactions
can also be the same way we make that projection on the internet. It would be
interesting to assess if how we see ourselves in physical settings is on the same
page as our online persona.

Social media sites are very powerful tools to communicate with family,
friends, and even strangers. We can share or post personal information, photos,
videos, comments, and much more. Along with the benefits we reap, community
sites with user-generated content should be used responsibly. Common sense
should tell us that we, as users are responsible for our posts, comments, likes,
reactions, shares, tweets, etc.

Here are some great tips for responsible use of social media:
  Do not post any comments, photos, videos, etc. that suggest or encourage
illegal activity
 Avoid violating any laws and regulations, including intellectual property (IP)
rights and others regarding content that you send or receive. IP is divided
into two categories: Industrial Property – patents, trademarks, and
industrial designs (give credits, do not use, and, Copyright – includes works
of art, literature, music, and computer programs
 Never transmit any material in any manner that is disruptive, threatening,
profane, abusive, harassing, embarrassing, tortuous, defamatory, obscene,
libelous or is an invasion of another’s privacy
 Never transmit any material that is hateful or racially, ethnically, or
otherwise offensive.
 Avoid sending unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional
materials, or any other form of solicitation.
 Get acquainted with the unique privacy and security policies of each social
media networking site and the third-party site you use. Social media sites,
such as Facebook has community standards.

Cyberbullying or cyber harassment – as defined by Merriam-Webster the

electronic posting of mean-spirited messages about a person often done
anonymously. It is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. It is
also known as online bullying. It has become increasingly common, especially
among teenagers, as the digital sphere has expanded, and technology has
advanced. Cyberbullying is when someone, typically a teenager, bullies or
harasses others on the internet and in other digital spaces, particularly on social
media sites.
The Philippines Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012

Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 - Republic Act No. 10175 was approved
on September 12, 2012. It aims to address legal issues concerning online
interactions and the Internet in the Philippines. Among the cybercrime offenses
included in the bill are cybersquatting, cybersex, child pornography, identity theft,
illegal access to data and libel.