User in information environment: digital identity today

Abstract

The author's structural-content model of a digital identity with the identification of its main characteristics and levels is presented.We studied the immersion of users in the Internet space with the help of empirical methods, revealed the motivational, procedural and resulting aspects of the Internet space. We have identified the constituent elements (subjective, dialogical, hypertext and technological-digital as, respectively, auto-, altero-, inform- and Internet-centric). We also determined the level characteristics (low, medium, high) of a digital identity among students in Moscow universities. It is established that all indicators of the Internet perception are within the normative values, and three components of a digital identity have low values. A higher level is inherent in the technological and digital components. At the same time, a decrease in the importance of communication on the Internet and an increase in the indices of the Internet animation were found. Respondents, in general, highly appreciate the positive features of the Internet, distinguishing a considerable number of drawbacks. The Internet has a special significance in the search for information. In this search behavior on the Web is chaotic, not purposeful.We have identified a high level of correlation between the time spent in the network, communication on the Internet and the altered state of consciousness. The subjective side of what happens to an individual on the Internet (the altered state of consciousness, the perception of the Internet as the best, escape from reality), shows more interconnections in the field of mentally resulting effects than objective indicators (time and communication).Social identity relates to the perception of the Internet as the best pastime. Immersion in the network space causes significant personal changes in social identification, increasing the values of the social identity indicator.