Widening the Wedge: Digital Inequalities and Social Media in India

Max Weber postulated the concept of social stratification that would create unequal opportunities in social, political, economic and even educational fields. In this chapter, it is further argued that social inequalities are increasing after the rapid penetration, acceptance and use of various digital media in India. Social media especially has added another dimension of social stratification in socio-political and economic areas due to the rapid spread of digital media. According to Weber social stratification is an interplay of class, status and group dynamics. Few researchers like Kuttan and Peters (2003) have suggested that technological repercussions may increase social inequality. The digital media is supposed to be devoid of any form of stratification and remain socially neutral. On the contrary, the authors think that the technological world being a reflection of the social world will lead to an increase in social inequality in the Indian society.