Patterns of Social Media Usage Among Indian Women in the Era of Globalization

In the era of globalization, social media is an important platform for modernization and empowerment of women with their increased public involvement and recognition of their voice in contemporary society. Social media serving as an easy, available tool for women to participate in discussions and enhancing their knowledge in health, education, life-style and cultural change, business and politics.

Women are much more active on social media platforms andhave stronger attachment towards social network. The patterns of usage are different among the housewives, working women and the female students on whom the present study is focussed. For housewives, social media is used to keep in touch with others, to get updates on news, socialise, making reels on TikTok and Instagram, online business, financial freedom and gain knowledge on WhatsApp group about the home-work from their children’s school teacher. They have strengthened relationships, emotional support, side online business and income, support system, and knowledge enrichment. For working women, job opportunities have increased, community development, opened new possibilities of accelerating the process of upliftment of women but at the same time it affects mental health, job crafting, online abuse, body image which increased anxiety in adolescents.

Cyber stalking which involves following a person's movements across the Internet by posting messages, sometimes become threatening too. For students, it has increased communication, sharing of information, educational opportunities and network opportunities. However, social media is also causing several negative impacts on students which is affecting their emotional and social health. Women are more conscious of privacy risks. More time spent on social media is associated with an increase in depressive symptoms. Factors include lack of high-quality sleep, online harassment, low self-esteem and negative body image. These changes are the characteristic features of reflexive modernity in contemporary Indian society.