ISSN:1005-3026

SOCIAL MEDIA AND ITS IMPACTON CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE

Dr. Jagdish Batra

Professor of English, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, India.

drjagdishbatra@gmail.com

Abstract

The electronic media which was developed in the 20th century as a fast means of communication and entertainment has spawned in our times many social platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, etc. which, like rebellious children, are challenging the parent. Propelled by artificial intelligence, these platforms now seek to mould human mind and perception. Literature, which was so far considered an innocuous means to provide aesthetic pleasure and fulfil man’s search for truth is now threatened in many ways by social media. While the speed, spread and accessibility of social media is a matter of envy for literature, its trivialization of lofty ideals and pursuits,alongwith usurpation of the time available to man is a matter of grave concern. The social media’s claim of giving a fillip to creativity is open to question. In the process, conflict affects not only human mind and body, but also values which have been held in esteem through the ages. What kind of future of mankind is being shaped is the issue explored in this paper.

Keywords: Creative process, individual values, social concern,Instantism, Twitterature