Fourteenth International Conference on The Image

Abstract

Corona has given a boost to the social media usage and thus, its impact on the first-time users is worth exploring. The current study examines the influence of easy access and quantity of time spent on social media on the altered / upgraded view self. With the help of in-depth unstructured interviews of 08 lower-middle class participants of the Indian society, the study explores the same from the perspective of getting the first-time exposure too. The common practices that have gained coveted space in the life of the interviewees are frequent status update on WhatsApp, renewing reels on Instagram and stories on Facebook etc. Interestingly these practices got initiated during the pandemic time due to the ample of time in hand. However, now these practices are constantly vying with the time allotted for essential tasks. In the light of these interviews, it can be contended that these practices have brought a major change in the view of “self” of the participants and their coping and communication ways too. An increased ability to use these advanced platforms gives them an image of a “tech savvy” person in their own eyes. However, a lack of response from the significant others leaves them with a desire to get validation in other forms. The most interesting part is the realization that people have, still a desire to go with the flow is influencing their self-image and means adopted to communicate.