Impact of Social Media on Young People, 2025

Author
Navya Pandey
Created
Reading time
7 min

Introduction

By 2025, the Impact of Social Media on young people has become deeply ingrained in their daily lives. Growing worries over social media effects on young people’s identity and mental health have been highlighted by its popularity. Reflection on its function in forming lives is necessary since problems like anxiety and a distorted self-image are on the rise as young people’s sense of self grows more and more connected to online validation.

What is the Impact of Social Media on Society?

  • As seen during COVID-19, when physicians used Twitter to draw attention to oxygen shortages, social media undermines traditional media monopolies by enabling individuals to exchange news and opinions in real time and holding authorities responsible.
  • The 2024 Indian Lok Sabha elections demonstrated how governments and politicians use social media for direct public involvement, policy announcements, grievance relief, and political advocacy.
  • Underrepresented voices are amplified on social media, supporting campaigns like as MeTooIndia (2018), in which women revealed harassment in a variety of industries.

What is the Impact of Social Media on Indian Economy?

  • India’s digital economy is driven by social media, which helps influencers, gig workers, small enterprises, and entrepreneurs. For instance, influencers, craftspeople, and home cooks utilize WhatsApp catalogs and similar sites to market their goods.
  • Currently employing 8% of the workforce, the creative economy, driven by YouTube and Instagram influencers, expanded from 962,000 in 2020 to 4.06 million in 2024.
  • With a 2024 valuation of USD 30 billion, India’s creative economy accounts for 2.5 percent of the country’s GDP.
  • Social media helps e-commerce grow by promoting crowdfunding, entrepreneurship, and economic diversity.
  • As demonstrated by WhatsApp Pay’s simplification of transactions, it also encourages digital payments and the formalization of the economy.

Why Social Media is so Important for Young People?

Social media plays a crucial role in the lives of young people for several reasons.

  • Social Connection: It’s a primary way to connect with friends and peers, especially in today’s digital age where physical distance isn’t a barrier.
  • Identity and Expression: Platforms allow them to express themselves, share their interests, and explore their identities in a public or semi-public space.
  • Information and Awareness: It’s a hub for news, trends, and cultural movements, keeping them informed about what’s happening globally and locally.
  • Opportunities and Networking: Many use it for career networking, discovering job opportunities, or promoting their talents and skills.
  • Entertainment: Social media offers endless entertainment options, from memes to videos and interactive content.
  • Learning and Growth: It can be a source of learning through tutorials, educational content, and discussions on various topics.
impact of social media

How is Social Media Regulated in India? 

  • Laws Governing Social Media in India
    • Information Technology Act, 2000: It is the main legislation governing electronic communication and governance, which includes social media. Intermediaries, such as social media platforms, are free from responsibility for third-party content under Section 79(1) as long as they just provide access and do not modify or control the content.
    • Information Technology Rules, 2021: It mandates that social media companies protect users’ online safety by eliminating offensive information and educating users about national security, copyright, privacy, and defamation. The Supreme Court recently halted the implementation of the 2023 Amendment, which mandates that online platforms like Facebook erase inaccurate information regarding the Indian government.
  • Judicial Stand
    • Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015): The Supreme Court overturned Section 66A of the Information Technology Act of 2000 due to its ambiguity, preserving social media freedom and holding that dissent, satire, or criticism cannot be criminalized for offending someone’s feelings unless it qualifies as one of the reasonable restrictions specified in Article 19(2).
    • K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017):
      Aadhaar and WhatsApp privacy standards, as well as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), were influenced by the declaration of privacy as a basic right under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Which Issues Are Related to Social Media?

  • Mental Health Issues: Anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem can be linked to excessive social media use.
  • Cyberbullying: Social media can be a platform for harassment, bullying, and toxic behavior, which can deeply affect a person’s emotional well-being.
  • Addiction and Overuse: Many people, especially teens, spend hours scrolling without realizing it, which can lead to addiction and reduce productivity, sleep, and real-life social interaction.
  • Privacy and Data Security: Personal information can be easily shared or leaked, leading to privacy violations or even identity theft.
  • Misinformation and Fake News: False or misleading information can spread quickly, influencing public opinion or even causing harm (e.g., health myths, political propaganda).
  • Online Predators and Exploitation: There are risks of inappropriate contact from strangers, including grooming or exploitation, especially for younger users.
  • Unrealistic Expectations: Filters, editing apps, and influencers can promote unrealistic beauty standards and lifestyles, pressuring users to conform.

What Steps Can Be Taken to Help Young People With Social Media Challenges?

  • Digital Literacy Education
    • Teach young people how to use social media responsibly and critically.
    • Help them recognize misinformation, online scams, and the difference between reality and curated content.
  • Encourage Healthy Screen Time Habits
    • Set limits on daily social media use to avoid overuse and addiction.
    • Encourage “tech-free” times or zones—like during meals or before bed.
  • Open Communication
    • Create a safe space for young people to talk about their online experiences without fear of judgment.
    • Listen to their concerns and help them reflect on how social media makes them feel.
  • Promote Positive Role Models
    • Encourage following accounts that promote positivity, education, creativity, and realness, instead of toxic or overly idealized lifestyles.
  • Support Mental Health
    • Teach coping strategies for online stress, like taking breaks, muting toxic accounts, or unfollowing negative influences.
    • Offer access to counselors, mental health resources, or peer support groups when needed.
  • Strengthen Privacy Awareness
    • Teach how to set privacy settings, manage friend lists, and protect personal information.
    • Discuss the importance of thinking before posting or sharing content.
  • Report and Block Harmful Behavior
    • Show young people how to report bullying, harassment, or inappropriate content.
    • Reinforce that it’s okay to block someone or step away from negative interactions.

Conclusion

The impact of social media on young people in 2025 is complex and far-reaching. While it fosters connection, creativity, and opportunity, it also presents challenges like mental health issues, online harm, and identity distortion. A balanced approach—focusing on digital literacy, mental well-being, and responsible use—is essential to ensure young people benefit from social media while minimizing its risks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • What are the primary ways the Impact of Social Media manifests in the lives of young people in 2025?

    Social media significantly influences their social interactions, self-perception, access to information (both accurate and inaccurate), and opportunities for online activism and community building. It also plays a role in their academic pursuits and career aspirations.

  • How has the Impact of Social Media affected the mental health of young people by 2025?

    The constant exposure to curated online personas can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression. Cyberbullying remains a significant concern, and the pressure to maintain a perfect online image can be detrimental to self-esteem. However, social media can also provide support networks and access to mental health resources.

  • What are some of the potential negative consequences of the Impact of Social Media on young people in 2025?

    Negative impacts can include addiction to platforms, exposure to harmful content (e.g., violence, hate speech), privacy concerns related to data sharing, and the blurring of lines between online and offline identities.

  • How might the Impact of Social Media on young people evolve beyond 2025?

    Future developments in augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and the metaverse are likely to further transform the way young people interact online, presenting both new opportunities and challenges that will need ongoing consideration and research.

  • Are there any positive aspects of the Impact of Social Media on young people in 2025?

    Yes, social media can foster creativity, enable the development of online communities based on shared interests, provide opportunities for self-expression, and facilitate access to diverse perspectives and information.

Sources:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *