Self-representation in the digital age: transformation of consciousness and the limits of authenticity

Abstract

The relevance of this research is determined by the rapid development of digital technologies, which radically transform the forms and content of individual self-representation. Social networks and virtual platforms have become the primary spaces for constructing and transmitting the image of the “Self,” altering its structure, semantic accents, and degree of authenticity. In this context, the philosophical understanding of the mechanisms of digital identity formation and the influence of technical, cultural, and psychological factors on the integrity of the personal image gains particular importance. The aim of the study is to analyze the transformation of self-representation in the digital age and to determine its impact on the authenticity of the individual, developing an original model of the mechanism for reproducing the “Self” in social networks. The methodological basis combines philosophical analysis of the concept of the “Self” and its representations, media studies approaches to the examination of digital platforms, as well as psychological theories of self-presentation and social comparison. Methods of historical-philosophical analysis are employed to trace the evolution of views on self-representation, and a comparative-analytical method is used to identify differences between traditional and digital forms of self-presentation. As a result of the study, key technical, sociocultural, psychological, and economic factors shaping digital self-representation were systematized, and the author’s “digital mirror” model was developed. This model describes the mechanism through which the authentic “Self” passes across three filters – technical, sociocultural, and psychological – that determine the final image of the individual in the virtual space. The conclusions emphasize that contemporary self-representation is a flexible and multidimensional construct formed at the intersection of personal intentions and external digital influences, and that preserving authenticity requires conscious engagement with each level of the “digital mirror.” Prospects for further research involve deepening empirical analysis of culturally specific features of self-representation and quantitatively assessing the impact of digital filters on identity.