SOCIAL MEDIA AND URBAN YOUTH IDENTITY: SOCIOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS FROM VISAKHAPATNAM
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ephijer.v10i1.191Keywords:
Social media, Urban Culture, Urban youth, sociologicalAbstract
The expansion of social media has transformed the everyday social experiences of urban youth in India. Digital platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Snapchat increasingly shape communication, identity formation, aspirations, and patterns of social interaction. This theoretical paper examines the relationship between social media and urban youth identity with special reference to Visakhapatnam city. The article uses sociological perspectives related to self-presentation, modernity, network society, and consumer culture to understand how digital platforms influence youth behaviour and social relationships. The paper argues that social media has become more than a communication tool; it now functions as an important social space where identity, visibility, and recognition are continuously negotiated. The article also discusses how online interaction affects self-esteem, lifestyle aspirations, and emotional experiences among urban youth. The study concludes that social media has emerged as a major influence on contemporary urban social life and youth culture.
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