Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs suggests that all humans have needs that exist on a hierarchy. The hierarchy can be broken up into four distinct parts, Self-actualization, meaning that one needs to achieve their full potential. Psychological needs such as self-esteem and belongingness. Last is basic needs like safety and physiological needs like food, water, and more. The argument is that digital technology has become a physiological need, and that it drives individuals to be the target of cyber threats.

Personally, I have never really been driven by this need to self-actualize myself online. Maybe a couple of times, but I never usually go through with it. This is because I understand the innate dangers that come with putting your life or experiences online, especially with the way politics and hackers are surging online. For psychological needs, I don’t understand the need to feel accepted online; I find it a bit strange and weird. Getting validation from individuals who you don’t physically meet is such an interesting and scary concept. Which fuels my basic needs of safety, as one can victimize themselves when interacting online, unknowingly becoming the target of a malicious individual.