Social media exposure to caste-based discrimination and aggressive behaviour among adolescents: a review through an Ambedkarian perspective
Keywords:
Social media; caste-based discrimination; adolescents; social identity threat; aggression; Ambedkarian perspective; digital discrimination.Abstract
The rapid expansion of social media has significantly transformed adolescents’ social interactions, identity formation, and exposure to social issues (Valkenburg & Peter, 2011). Although digital platforms provide opportunities for communication and empowerment, they have also become spaces where traditional social inequalities, including caste-based discrimination, are reproduced (Noble, 2018). This review paper examines existing literature on the relationship between social media exposure to discriminatory content, social identity threat, emotional distress, and aggressive behaviour among adolescents through an Ambedkarian perspective. Existing studies suggest that exposure to online prejudice, hate speech, and exclusion may negatively influence adolescents’ psychological well-being by creating feelings of rejection, anger, and identity threat (Williams, 2007; Pascoe & Smart Richman, 2009). The review further discusses Ambedkar’s principles of dignity, equality, education, and social empowerment as psychological resources that can strengthen resilience against discrimination (Ambedkar, 1936/2014). The review identifies a significant gap in research concerning caste-based discrimination in digital environments and emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary studies integrating psychology, caste studies, and digital media research.
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Data Availability Statement
Data will be made available on request.
