While social media facilitates unprecedented connectivity and self-expression, it can also widen social crevices and fractures. In this context, examine the impact of social media on Indian society.

Positive Impacts [Facilitate Unprecedented Connectivity]:

(I) Instant Communication: Despotic diffidence in space & region; [illegible] message

(I) Faster Social Cohesion: due to greater connectivity

[Facilitate Self Expression]

(I) Allow Users to express thought, belief/idea (e.g., 'X'/Twitter)

(I) Create Platform for exchange of ideas

Negative Impacts [Widen Social Crevices (Fracture)]

(I) Use by unscrupulous elements to create social lesion; [illegible] wisdom in INH

Positive Impacts (continued):

() Demonstrate Decentralization: of all dialogues where all can give & voice opinion [eg] Twitter

() Empowered: of society due to information sharing & awareness of rights. [eg] #MeToo Movement

() Reduced Corruption: in society like govt office, private companies [eg] Snowden Whistleblown on privacy

() Pillared Self Expression: Help in encapsulation of women & amelioration of condition of marginalized section. [eg] Dalit channel on Whatsapp

() Promoted Fraternity: of social Tie: by prompt dialogue of trust in people. [eg] Debate on religion on 'X' by sporting others' beliefs.

Negative Impacts:

() Hardening Caste Tension: due to spreading norm of purity & pollution, caste based violence on Twitter.

() Digital Divide: Creating exclusionary platform where all not heard on ever muted (only 29.5% women digitally literate)

() Communalization: due to communal grouped 'echo chamber'

Ways Forward:

Ethical Social Media Use

Ethical Use → BiDictional Strong Ethical Tie

Issue no misuse (Cyber police) → IEC Campaign to build clarity

[illegible] → Citizen Empowerment

Other Empowerment

— Aditya Mathur · AIR 98