Forming of self-awareness in an information society

Abstract

In the digital age, the issue of personal identity acquires new complexity due to the influence of information technologies, algorithmic environments, and networked interaction. The digital space transforms the mechanisms of self-knowledge, intensifies polyidentity, and generates a crisis of authenticity, which requires philosophical reflection. The aim of this study is to analyse the transformation of personal identity within the digital environment from the perspective of philosophical anthropology, to identify the risks of fragmentation of the “Self”, and to substantiate ways of preserving holistic self-awareness. The research applies an interdisciplinary approach that combines philosophical and anthropological analysis, elements of hermeneutics, conceptual modelling, and a review of scholarly sources that examine the problem of digital identity from diverse academic perspectives.

In the course of the study, it was revealed that the formation of digital identity is accompanied by a multiplicity of “Self” images, fragmentation of self-perception, dependence on external approval, and the blurring of boundaries between the personal and the public spheres. These factors lead to the emergence of polyidentity, a decline in authenticity, and the intensification of internal conflicts. To systematize the manifestations of the digital “Self,” the author developed a typology of identity in the digital environment, which encompasses five key forms: real, virtual, social, narrative, and digital “Self.” For each type, the corresponding mechanisms of expression, risks within the informational environment, and potential development pathways are identified. The proposed typology may serve as an analytical tool for further academic research, educational programmes, and psychological practices aimed at cultivating a reflexive, resilient, and responsible “Self” in the digital society. Identity in the digital age requires new strategies of philosophical self-reflection and educational support. The preservation of personal authenticity is possible only through deep inner work, critical awareness, and reflective engagement with the informational environment. The proposed typology can be applied in educational practice and digital ethics.