From Screen to Self: Social Media Culture and the Transformation of Women’s Self-Perception in India

Abstract

Social media has become a crucial part of contemporary life, particularly in India, where platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Moj, ShareChat, and Twitter significantly influence how people communicate, express themselves, and perceive their identities. For women in India, social media presents both opportunities and challenges. While it allows for creative expression, advocacy for equality, and voicing opinions, it also reinforces social limitations, gender norms, and traditional standards of beauty. Social media gives Indian women the ability to launch their own companies, become well-known and take part in activism as demonstrated by movements like #MeToo. On the flip side, issues like objectification, online harassment, cyberbullying, and unrealistic beauty ideals still pose significant challenges for women. Today, social media platforms are deeply integrated into societal fabric, shaping women's self-image and setting beauty standards. This research paper investigates how Indian women are depicted on social media and the effects these depictions have on their self-perception and self-worth. The study also explores the impact of patriarchal and capitalist frameworks on women’s online identities while recognizing the ways women leverage social media for empowerment and resistance. This research paper aims to enhance understanding of the complex relationship between technology, gender, and self-esteem by looking into the connections among social media, feminism, and women's physical attractiveness.