IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON RURAL INDIA
Ekta Bansal · 2015
The focus of this paper is to delineate the relationship between social media and rural India, how rural development can be improved. Looking at a few instances where social media has benefitted rural development will serve as a positive analysis, whereas there will be a brief analysis of the limitations of media. The aim would also be too broadly define social media, and look at how media, be it any form, has a social responsibility towards the audience it’s reaching. Whereas the instances provided in the paper will serve as a reminder of the marvels of social media, but a growing digital divide with a lack of development of information and communication technology(ICT) has made it redundant for people in rural areas to access internet for the most well known form of social media, Facebook or twitter, etc. The inability of these people to use this platform is a major reason for them to look at NGO’s who can use these platforms or influence other forms of media which are inclined towards social responsibility giving more of a reason to broadly define social media. If and when the ICT is developed further for better connectivity, it is important for the people using these platforms to not get alienated and exploited while still be able to provide a space which caters to rural India; maybe through online grievance portals, etc.