essay on social media for upsc

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Social Media And Its Impact On Society [UPSC Notes for GS I]

Social media has a profound influence especially on young people. Its impact and negative effects are often seen in the news; hence the topic’s relevance for the UPSC Mains. This article will describe in detail the impact of social media on society.

Aspirants would find this article very helpful while preparing for the IAS Exam .

These UPSC Notes on social media impact and its concerns are aligned with the UPSC Syllabus and aspirants should prepare this topic for General Studies Paper I.

Social Media And Its Impact On Society

• Social media has been accused of polarising society due to the inflammatory nature of certain posts. 
• World over concerns has been raised over social media being used for surveillance, election meddling, etc. 

Aspirants can know in detail about the New Social Media Rules, IT Rules 2021 on the given link.

• Social media has become ubiquitous. As per a UN report, 47 % of the global population is online and among them, the percentage of social media users is rising steadily. 
• It does not have a steep learning curve and compared to other traditional websites offers content in the local language.
• The barriers to entry are quite low and there is a large and well development ecosystem in place for users which is unavailable in traditional TV media. The positives of social media.
• Social media offers a variety of entertainment that offers an escape from the conventional scripted entertainment industry funded by established studios. 
• It offers people-to-people interaction that breaks barriers and forges a true human connection. 
• It also has been instrumental in pro-democracy fights in many oppressive regimes.
• Social media also played an important role in bringing out stories of ‘Metoo’ victims.
• Social media is also playing a crucial role in disaster relief, blood donation drives, etc.

Check out in detail about the Press Council of India on the link provided here.

Candidates preparing for the upcoming Civil Services Exam can go through the links provided below for comprehensive preparation-

The extent of Social Media

• India has 574 million active Internet users as of 2019. Read more on What is Internet on the given link.
• India is the second-largest online market, behind China.
• It was estimated that by December 2020 there will be around 639 million active internet users in India.
• The majority of India’s internet users are mobile phone internet users. The overall data traffic in India increased by 47% in 2019 driven by continued 4G consumption. 4G constituted 96% of the total data traffic consumed across the country while 3G data traffic registered its highest-ever decline of 30%. Know in detail about 4G features and advantages on the given link.

Also, check out the difference between 5G and 4G on the linked page.

• It has led to anonymous trolls who attack the reputation of an individual. 
• Women face cyber rape and threats that affect their dignity severely. 
• Fake news and communal venom also spread like wildfire on the media. 
• Fake news about a child abduction gang was spread by teenagers as a prank and this led to a few people being attacked. This is encouraged by the fact that internet anonymity offers a disconnect from reality. So its users feel that they are not going to face any consequence of their actions.
• Social media bubbles or echo chambers are created where one finds only opinions that conform to one’s own worldview (confirmation bias). This strengthens already existing biases and prejudices. 
• It also creates false notions about beauty and physical standards and strengthens narcissism in some and weakens self-esteem in others. 
• Very structured, deep psychometric analyses have been used to influence elections and incite violence.

The role of media in society is a highly debated topic. There have been calls to regulate social media or ban it altogether. A ban might be an extreme step. However, a digitally literate country is the need of the hour. Responsible social media use must be taught at every school and college in the country. Aspirants should know the role of media in its entirety for the IAS Exam. 

Social Media And Its Impact On Society (UPSC Notes – GS 1) – Download PDF Here

The above details would help candidates prepare for  UPSC 2023 .

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Social Media Essay – Advantages & Disadvantages or Pro & Cons

Social Media? What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you hear this word? As we all know, every one of us is aware of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Some of the other ways each one of us uses social media nowadays. Further, one needs to know how to use them and limit yourself from using them. No doubt, it is one of the popular topics for writing essays in many competitive exams. Therefore, in this article, we have covered all information related to the Social Media Essay, advantages, benefits, and disadvantages of social media. Read the article and understand how you can make your social media essay effective by including the pros and cons of social media.

Introduction

To begin with, the use of social media has become a necessity of life. Further, it is easy to get information and know what your close ones are doing. It is beneficial for learning about new places, donations, the latest news about the world, all kinds of events, etc. We have seen how social media played a major role in creating awareness during pandemics. It helped by providing all the essential details of taking, vaccination details, and other details. However, we all know it can be anything; it has advantages and disadvantages. So, social media can be addictive, especially in the younger generation. Therefore, one must be careful while using social media and know your limit.

Social Media Essay

Whenever you write a social media essay, you need to structure it well. One should follow it with an introduction, main body, and conclusion. Further, one needs to add relevant points instead of stuffing words. So, whenever you get a topic, try to collect points and start writing. As there are many topics for essay writing, if you go through the previous year’s question papers, you will come to know which are the trending topics, you can prepare for the essential topics accordingly.

Further, with social media essay, you can give a brief introduction. Then, in the introduction part, please provide an overview of the essay, and in the main body, try to add all relevant points it can advantages facts, etc. Further, in conclusion, summarize all points you have included in the main body.

Let us learn more about adding more points to the Social Media Essay. Adding benefits, disadvantages of social media in social media essay makes your essay an effective one.

Also, understand digital media. Click here for more information on the same.

Facts of Social Media

• The worldwide population is 7.7 billion, and the internet has 4.4 billion users. However, this number is increasing day by day.
• Further, there are nearly 3.5 billion active social media users, and every 6.4 seconds, a new account has been created.
• Facebook has 2.7 billion active monthly users worldwide and has around 500.000 new users every single day.
• Further, with respect to Instagram, more than a 500million of these use the platform daily. Besides, 95 million photos are uploaded to Instagram daily.
• One of the important things is    71% of US businesses use Instagram. Around 80% of users make their purchase decision with the help of Instagram.
• Youtube, nearly 2 billion users visit YouTube every single day, and 60% of people prefer to watch online video platforms like YouTube.
• Further, more than 500 hours of video content is uploaded to YouTube every single minute.

These are some of the facts related to social media. However, concerning each social media, there are many facts. After reading the above points, one can easily say that social media has become a necessity in some way. Further, with no doubt number of users on various platforms is increasing day by day. Further, we will look into the pros and cons of social media.

Advantages of Social Media

Further, we will understand the advantages or benefits of using Social Media. Try to add some in the social media essay writing in the exam.

• There are various advantages of using social media. In the first place, it is easy to get connected with friends and family. Use Facebook, Instagram one can easily reach out to friends who are staying away from you.
• Further, it helps you in providing the latest information related to technology, events, health awareness, education, etc. Along with news, even on social media, you will find all details.
• As we all know now, there is a concept called social media marketing, which is nothing but all kinds of businesses that promote business through various social media platforms.
• If you have observed, it also provides a great platform for young budding artists to showcase their talent. It can also provide you with employment offers.
• Social Media plays a vital role in creating awareness about various things, especially with covid-19. Through social media, one was able to help each other. Besides, it played an important role in bringing out stories of ‘Metoo’ victims.

Disadvatages of Social Media

As we all know, everything comes with the advantages and disadvantages of social media. Let us look at the below points and try to add them to the social media essay. But, make sure that you are a few relevant points only.

• In the first place, one should take care of their privacy policy. It is important for one to understand how various platforms work and their privacy policy. If you fail to understand this, one can easily hack your accounts and can misuse your data.
• Further, school-going children also use social media these days. Addiction to social media can harm the academic performance of students. However, it is the responsibility of parents to restrict their children from using mobile or social media. As there is the right time for everything and now it is a time to concentrate on the studies.
• Besides, many, especially youngsters, pretend to be happy on their social media, and we don’t know if they are happy in their real happiness. Also, there are some people who easily get influenced by other people. Well, if it is in a positive way, it’s good. But, it should not negatively affect anyone.
• One must take care of various things like Women facing cyber rape and fake news. Sometimes it also creates false notions about beauty and physical standards. This makes to feel low about their looks and their body. Therefore, the use of social media is in our hands, it depends on you how you will make you live better by use of social media with positive thoughts. There can be other disadvantages of social media, but try to add only important one in the exam.

Conclusion – Social Media Essay

This article will give you all the important information for Social Media Essay writing. Further, you will get details like the benefits of social media, the pros and cons of social media, and other information. Essay writing is one of the essential things in the UPSC main exam. One must refer to the previous year’s papers to understand the trending topics for the exam. It is impossible to study everything, and one can understand essential topics and collect information on them. It is also important not to add too much information and make it lengthier. Keep it relevant, and don’t add too much. Further, one needs to know how to write a perfect essay.

Therefore, we have added all the essay writing suggestions and tips. Read More . Further, in the IAS main exam, you will find essay writing questions. So, it is important for one to practice for the exam. If you are looking for the IAS exam details and what are the important topics for the essay writing. To help you with the same we have added essential details, that will help you with the exam preparations. Click Here . We suggest one to write all the important points in your words and it will help you with the exam. You can refer same for the exam.

Social media helps to create awareness of various things. It also helps you to get the latest details.

Understand the topic and structure your social media essay well. Include a proper introduction, main part, and the conclusion part.

Some of the social platforms are Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and Snapchat.

Editor’s Note | Social Media Essay

In summary, you will get to know things like the benefits of social media, pros and cons, and advantages and disadvantages of social media. These all things are important to know for the Social Media Essay writing for the UPSC exam. In a world, many are using social media, and it can be for their personal use or for their business. Social Media have become part of our lives. Further, for Social Media Essay, one needs to know to collect all the necessary details and write Social Media Essay.

By reading the above article, you will get enough information to help you write Social Media Essay for the IAS exam. As we all know about the IAS exam syllabus, it becomes important for one to know about the paper pattern and prepare for the exam. Further, to this exam to clear one should work hard and put in all special efforts.

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Social Media and its Impact on Society – UPSC Notes

Table of Contents

Social media is a big platform that plays a vital role in the modern world. Fascinating parts of social media evolve in keeping touch with family and friends on a real time basis. This platform has strengthened relationships and it brings people to an entirely different viewpoint of life culture that was not possible in the past. Social media influencers have a great impact on many people and especially youngsters.

Social media are computer mediated technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information and ideas via virtual communities and networks. Social media platforms provided Indians with a platform to raise their voice against injustice and inequality. People from the underprivileged society have always been suppressed by the upper class. Social media websites such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter gave opportunities to common people to earn fame and thereby resulted in the rise of social media influencers.

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Impact of Social media on Indian Society

In 2004, Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook as a way to connect with fellow students. Initially adopted by high school and college students, the social network, according to its 2012 initial public offering filing, has grown to 845 million active users worldwide, with approximately 161 million active monthly users in the US, making it the premiere social media service in the world.

If Facebook were a country it would be the third largest behind China and India. Launched in July 2006, Twitter is an online social networking and micro blogging service that has grown to over 300 million users as of 2011, according to account tracker two charts. It allows users to exchange photos, videos, and messages of 140 characters or less. Founded in 2005 by Steve Chen and Chad Hurley, YouTube provides a forum for the distribution of video content – everything from cute kittens sleeping to first-run television programs to eyewitness.

Information on the latest happenings reaches people in just a matter of minutes even in the remotest corners of the country. The easy and swift availability of information makes social media one of the most reliable sources for forming public opinion. It bridges the gap between the leaders and the masses by becoming their channel of communication.

The technology is incredible – the possibilities of mobile apps and the Internet are truly endless. Social media takes science and technology and mixes it with two fundamental human needs, relationships and communication. The discussion on the advantages of social media is a never ending saga. Unleashing the unearthed potential of social media is one of the best ways of making the future of mankind endlessly exciting.

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• Education –  Information can be searched as well as gathered by the students regarding their study and particular subject. Many students who cannot attend classes regularly they can choose distance mode of learning which is easily available on the Internet. Pedagogues may send material about class activities, workshop, seminar, school/college events and assignments on social media which would be very useful to them. Information and communication technology provides us with different learning tools such as podcast, blog, Wikipedia, e-learning and m-learning mode of education.
• Family Relations – World has become a global village, due to globalization. In these days, Students are going to Leeds for their further studies. Indian people mostly settled outside India or some other part of the country. Social media plays pivotal role keeping them in touch or connected with their family members. Voice as well as video calls do not let them feel that they are far away from their home and country.
• Entrepreneurship – In these days, the role of social media in entrepreneurship and consumer market cannot be sabotaged. Social media has changed the behaviour of the consumers in different ways. Social media, business and marketing is interrelated with each other. Television, newspaper, radio and other traditional marketing tools were used for marketing and sell the products by the troupes. With the use of social media, marketers have more options in terms of communications, opportunities, and support for advertising.
• Online Shopping – Today, most of the multitude are passionate in order to purchase different types of products through online shopping. Hence, the vogue of online shopping is increasing prevalence fleetly the world over. Masses achieve chances in order to become excessive if they buy products by online shopping. At the present time maximum top class multinational troupes advertise their products by different shopping sites such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Flipcart, Alibaba and the rest.
• Entertainment –  Social media plays a phenomenal role to entertain the people with different ways. Infinite number of people uses social media as their source of entertainment rather than watching serials, news and movies on Television. Now social media is not only used for transferring information and communication tool but widely used for entertainment purpose. Social media users watch online movies, news, live cricket matches, listening to music and send the related links to their companions. Nowadays, video games such as PUBG, Ludo King, Candy Crush et cetera are being downloaded and played by the Indian youth. Adolescents kill most of their time to play online video games on their smart phones.
• Social-media and Indian Politics – Social media is now being used by Indian politicians and plays pivotal role in Indian politics. In Lok Sabha elections 2014 Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has been using the services provided by the social media and convinces the people, achieved their votes and succeeded. Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India now The Prime Minister has crossed 44 Million followers on Twitter. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also has achieved great success and popularity on social media. These media forms extensively were used by the leaders of AAP to share the current activities, schemes for public welfare, meetings and other work done by them for the public.
• Social-media, Rumours and Corona Virus – The Government of India has recently issued written advise to companies providing platforms such as Face book, Twitter, YouTube, Shareit instructing them to ensure that do not allow the exchange of any factual information related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Another aspect of the negative role of social media in the corona incident was that a miscreant in a city in Madhya Pradesh spread a Rumours that an attempt could be made to inject people with the corona vaccine, which resulted in it so happened that a team of doctors and police personnel who had gone to treat.
• Recruitment and Social Media – Social media and recruitment mutually dependent with each other. Social media is becoming essential part of recruiting agencies. Popular social media applications such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Workable are used by the recruiting firms to determine the new skills, employees and workers. Craftsperson hiring through traditional method was evolved from perception whereas using social media it is based upon reciprocal action and direct communication. Hence, Recruitment through Social media is beneficial for unemployed to get good jobs with handsome salaries.

Social media platforms

• Social networking sites- Facebook, Google Plus, CafeMom, Gather, Fit sugar
• Micro-blogging sites- Twitter, Tumblr, Prosperous
• Publishing tools- WordPress, Blogger, Squarespace
• Collaboration tools- Wikipedia, WikiTravel, WikiBooks
• Rating/Review sites- Amazon ratings, Angie’s List
• Photo sharing sites- Flikr, Instagram, Pinterest
• Video sharing sites- YouTube, Vimeo, Viddler
• Personal broadcasting tools- Blog Talk radio, Upstream , Livestream
• Virtual worlds- Second Life, World of Warcraft, Farmville
• Location based services- Check-ins, Facebook Places, Foursquare, Yelp
• Widgets- Profile badges, Like buttons
• Social bookmarking and news aggregation- Digg, Delicious

Misuse of Social media

• Society and its conflicts manifest themselves in what has come to be known as “fake news” — and the internet does aid its rapid distribution.
• That is not the malaise of the internet or social media platforms, however.
• It is the actors, very often, competing political and other special interests which are producers of such content.
• India has reflected these conflicts and contestations for ages but our democratic spirit and tradition have endured much more than identity discord.
• In August 2012, photos and cross-border propaganda material was misused and spread, sparking panic among people from the north-eastern region residing in Bangalore; the episode even caused a large-scale migration of people from the north-east back to their home states.
• Rumours were authenticated as “news” and these were published widely.

Social media influencers impact on youth

Social media influencers have the power to impact the daily lives of youngsters. However, many young people are increasingly aware of the influence social media celebrities have. So, they can choose the good and leave the bad. But, influencers have the responsibility to be ethical. 

In this world of technology, where almost every teenager has access to social media, there has to be an impact of it, either positive or negative. And since the current rise in social media influencers and the power of the influence, this impact is significant.

• People trust social media influencers more than traditional celebrities because they are more relatable having the image of a girl/boy next door. Followers and especially youngsters feel closer to the influencers they follow because influencers interact with them frequently. And hence many youngsters follow social media influencers religiously and are influenced by what they say and promote.
• As youngsters are spending more time on social media than people of other age groups, social media influencers have more impact on youngsters than others.
• Brands are also preferring to collaborate with social media influencers over traditional celebrities due to the influence they have on youngsters, and also because the sponsored content is easily blended into the normal content of influencers. Influencer marketing is on the rise and is affecting the purchasing behaviour of youngsters. Moreover, youngsters are more likely to research the product before buying. And they will check the reviews by the influencers they follow.
• Some influencers do not mention whether the content they created is sponsored or not. They promote products for money and mislead the youngsters. A few influencers are also creating paid content in favour of political parties. As followers do not know that it is paid content, they are likely to believe it and may get influenced.
• The food habits of the youngsters are also shaping up by the influencers they follow.
• As influencers are creating attention-grabbing content, several youngsters are wasting their precious time by watching the content.
• Some influencers fake perfect bodies and perfect lives. So, some youngsters are comparing them with those influencers and are feeling insecure. This is resulting in low self-esteem, mental health issues, cosmetic surgeries and materialism. This influences identity formation too.
• Youngsters are listening to different world views and perspectives from social media influencers.
• Some social media influencers genuinely review the products they used. By watching their reviews, people are saving money and are avoiding bad purchases.
• There are so many influencers on social media that promote positive things such as body positivity, financial awareness, ethical values etc.
• With great power comes great responsibility. So, social media influencers should be socially responsible. They should avoid doing things that have the possibility of influencing people negatively.
• Youngsters should be aware of the influence social media influencers have on them and need to make conscious decisions. They should choose to follow genuine influencers who are ethical and socially responsible.
• Parents and teachers also have the responsibility to make their children aware of the positive and negative impact of social media celebrities on their daily lives.
• Regulations should be there on influencer marketing to mitigate the negative impact and to prevent the misuse of fame.

Negative impact

Social media is a digital platform that allows its users to create and share the content of their choice with people. Social media has command on a wide range of websites and apps. It has made its importance in our lives in a very short period. It has become a necessary daily activity for people. Social media enables its users to stay in contact by making communication easier.

Social media can adversely affect the thinking capability of individuals and instill negative or destructive precepts in society. As said before, social media has the power to form and alter opinions. It can portray an ordinary event so negatively that it may force people to think or act in quite the opposite way. Social media glorifies violence and contains graphic descriptions or images. When viewed by the vulnerable sections of the society, i.e., the children, it can have grave effects on their upcoming and thinking patterns.

The Challenges of Social Media

Social media has been blamed for promoting social ills such as:

Cyberbullying:

Teenagers need to fit in, to be popular, and to out-think others. This process was challenging long before the advent of social media. Add Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram into the mix, and you suddenly have teenagers subjected to feeling pressure to grow up too fast in an online world.

It also found that almost 15 percent admitted to having cyberbullied someone at least once, and nearly 11 percent admitting to doing it two or more times. Teenagers can misuse social media platforms to spread rumors, share videos aimed at destroying reputations, and to blackmail others.

Lack of Privacy: Stalking, identity theft, personal attacks, and misuse of information are some of the threats faced by social media users. Most of the time, the users themselves are to blame as they share content that should not be in the public eye. The confusion arises from a lack of understanding of how the private and public elements of an online profile actually work.Unfortunately, by the time private content is deleted, it’s usually too late. and the content can cause problems in people’s personal and professional lives.

Advantages and Disadvantages of impact of Social media on Society

• Social Media Used for Promotion and Advertising
• Social Media Helps in Connectivity Between the People
• Social Media Helps Government
• Social Media Increase in Human Interaction
• Social Media Spread Information Fast
• Social Media Used for the Noble Causes
• Social Media Drive Traffic To Your Website
• Social Media Improves Business Reputation
• Social Media Used for Entertainment
• Social Media Use for Awareness
• Social Media Used for Professional Growth
• Social Media is a Source of the Latest Information and Update
• Social Media Helps in Educations
• Social Media Help in Building Communities of the People
• Social Media Reach Large Audiences
• Using Social Media for Job Search
• Social Media Direct Connection To Audiences/Customer Interaction
• Social Media Cost-Effective
• Social Media Used for Communication
• Social Media Brand Loyalty
• Social Media Used for Hacking
• Social Media Cause Security Issues
• Social Media Cause Health Issues
• Social Media Bullying or Cyberbullying
• Time Wasting on Using Social Media
• Social Media Causes Sleep Problems
• Decreases Face-to-Face Communication Skills
• Social Media Spread Fake News Very Fast
• You can Receive Negative Feedback on Social Media
• Social Media Negative Effects on Family Relationships
• Social Media Causes Depression and Loneliness
• Social Media Causes Distraction
• Social Media Ruin Reputation
• Addiction of the People to Social Media
• Cheating and Relationship Issues on Social Media
• Social Media Negative Impact on Children
• Start Using Drugs and Alcohol
• Fraud and Scams on Social Media Platforms
• Social Media Causes Death

Social media attracts a wide audience that reinforces the sustainability of more development initiatives in information and communication technologies among the youths as a prime goal for their empowerment, leading to national and economic integration. Social media is of immense importance in connecting deprived nations to the outside world, being a relentless platform which advocates hard core issues to celebrations of a nation. About 150 million people in India are online active users of the various social media and email platforms who see these technologies as a logical extension of traditional communication methods, and perceive social networking sites as a much quicker and more convenient way to interact. But it is up to us to make the media do certain things for us or else the media will make us do it.

Here you can Download the Pdf of Social Media and its Impact on Society – UPSC Notes.

Download Pdf of Social Media and its Impact on Society – UPSC Notes.

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Impact of Social Media on Indian Politics

In the digital age, the convergence of communication and technology has given rise to a social media that has transcended geographical boundaries and revolutionized political engagement.  

Impact of Social Media On Indian Politics

In the context of Indian politics, the impact of social media is both profound and far-reaching.

• According to data from analytics firm Social Blade, infotainment creator Dhruv Rathee gained 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube in April alone.
• Similarly, since January, television journalists turned-digital news influencers such as Ravish Kumar and Abhisar Sharma, have seen a significant bump in monthly views on their channels—a rise of 175% and 115%, respectively.

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About Social Media & Its Usage

• Refers: It refers to means of interactions among people in which they create, share, and/or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks.
• Statistics: As per Data Reportal, India was home to 462.0 million social media users in January 2024, equating to 32.2 percent of the total population. 
• Connecting with people to share updates about government schemes and flagship programmes.
• Share about upcoming national events.

• During Covid, social media was a boon as people could directly contact for help.

The Rise of Digital Democracy

• Digital Revolution: In recent years, India has witnessed an exponential growth in internet penetration and smartphone usage, catapulting millions of citizens onto various social media platforms. 

• Democratization of Political Discourse: This digital revolution has democratized political discourse, providing individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds with a virtual platform to voice their opinions, connect with like-minded individuals, and hold elected representatives accountable.

• Micro-Targeting and Personalization: Political parties are using data analytics and artificial intelligence to tailor their messages and target specific demographics with precision. 
• Influencer Marketing: Influencers and social media personalities wield significant influence over their followers. Political parties are using this phenomenon by collaborating with influencers to amplify their messaging, increase visibility and sway public opinion.
• Real-Time Communication: Using social media platforms, from live streaming rallies to hosting interactive sessions, politicians are leveraging these platforms to cultivate a more authentic and accessible image.

Laws & Regulations on Governing Media

• Section 69-A: It gives the right to the authority to take down any content on the internet against the sovereignty and integrity of India and the security of the states, apart from other reasons. 
• The Press Council of India: It is a statutory body that keeps vigil on fake news. It is the self-regulatory watchdog of the press, for the press and by the press, that operates under the Press Council Act of 1978.
• Laws Governing Media Conduct During Elections: During elections, media regulation primarily falls outside the purview of the Election Commission. However, the Commission is tasked with enforcing laws and court directives that may intersect with media activities.
• Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951: It prohibits the display of any election-related content via cinematograph, television, or similar devices during the 48-hour period leading up to the conclusion of the polls.
• Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951: It prohibits the conduct of exit polls and the dissemination of their results during specified periods, including the time leading up to the commencement of polls in the first phase and a half-hour after the close of polls for the last phase across all states and union territories.
• Section 127A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951: It governs the printing and publication of election-related materials such as pamphlets and posters, mandating that they bear the names and addresses of the printer and publisher.
• Section 171H of the Indian Penal Code: It prohibits the incurring of expenditures on advertisements and other activities related to elections without the authorization of the contesting candidate.

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Positive Impact of Social Media on Indian Politics

• Example: Pariksha Pe Charcha, the event holds interaction between teachers and students who are given an opportunity to meet and communicate with PM Modi.
• Moreover, it has paved the way for citizen journalism, enabling ordinary individuals to report news and hold those in power accountable.
• Revolutionizing Election Campaigns: Hashtags, live sessions and group chats became indispensable for political parties, enabling them to interact directly with constituents, address concerns, and showcase achievements. 
• Examples: Movements like the Anti-Corruption Movement and the Nirbhaya protests found a platform on social media, enabling individuals to express grievances, organize protests, and garner public support. 
• Reshaping Campaign Funding: Crowdfunding and micro-donations through social media have democratized the funding process, enabling smaller parties and independent candidates to compete with more established players. 
• Reshaping Data Analytics: The advent of data analytics and sentiment-tracking tools has revolutionized election forecasting and public sentiment analysis and offers valuable insights for campaign strategists.
• Example: The Saksham App of ECI provides a number of features to help PwDs register to vote, find their polling station, and cast their vote.

Arising Challenges that Need to be Tackled

• Fake News and Misinformation: The proliferation of fake news and misinformation poses a significant threat to the integrity of political conversations. The rapid sharing of unverified content can distort facts and manipulate public opinion. 

• It poses a risk to societal unity and constructive discourse. Moreover, the anonymity granted by social media can foster online harassment and the spread of hate speech.
• Example: The German study found local outages of Facebook (due to technical faults or internet interruptions, for example) decreased violence in those locations. Also, 50% less anti-refugee sentiment on social media would reduce violent incidents by 12.6%.

• Example: India has over 820 million active internet users, with more coming from rural areas. The number of non-active internet users is declining. Women lag behind men in internet usage.
• Unequal Participation: Social media distorts policymakers’ perception of public opinion as it is believed that these social media platforms tend to represent every walk of life, but not everyone’s voice is heard equally.
• Disparity: The distribution of effects around the world was also striking. Positive effects on political participation and information consumption were most pronounced in emerging democracies in South America, Africa and Asia. Negative effects were more evident in established democracies in Europe and the United States.

Way Forward

• Media Literacy: There is a need for investing in media literacy programs to equip citizens with the critical thinking skills necessary to identify fact from fiction and navigate the digital landscape responsibly.
• Transparency and Accountability: Political parties and social media platforms must adopt transparency and accountability measures to combat misinformation, protect user data, and uphold ethical standards.
• Maintaining a balance between freedom of the press and addressing misinformation or fake news is required.
• Digital Inclusion: Bridging the digital divide through targeted interventions aimed at expanding access to digital infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and fostering inclusive online spaces for political engagement.
• Role by Election Commission of India (ECI): The ECI must ensure parity of treatment between political advertising on social media and traditional media and should strictly enforce model code of conduct and should increase vigilance on cyber activities of political parties.

The symbiotic relationship between social media and Indian politics is a double-edged sword, replete with opportunities and challenges. As technology evolves, it is imperative for policymakers, tech companies, and society at large to collaboratively navigate this terrain, harnessing the benefits of social media while mitigating its potential pitfalls.

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Home » Security Issues » Role of Media and Social Networking Sites in Internal Security Challenges » Social Media

Social Media

• Social media plays an integral role in our lives today and has a huge bearing on society and individuals.
• Social media has revolutionized the way people communicate and socialize on the web.
• There is a positive effect on business, politics, socialization as well as some negative effects such as cyberbullying, privacy, and fake news .

• The phenomenal rise of social media (SM) platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and others is proving to be a double-edged sword in the functioning of democracies.
• On the one hand, it has democratised access to information . On the other hand, it has concentrated power over that information with a handful of private companies , their billionaire owners, and certain ideologically committed activist groups.
• Billions of netizens around the world now feel empowered to bypass traditional curators of information, such as journalists and editors, in searching for their choice of content.
• They have also become creators and disseminators of content , not just consumers of it.
• Social media is a platform which is highly liberal and it allows common citizens to put forward their views regarding a policy, act or ordinance.
• Social media allows people to directly communicate with their leaders and vice versa.

The public opinion is amplified on social media, making democracy more transparent and even stronger.

• “The Power of Social Media is that, it forces Necessary Change.”
• It is generally agreed that social media provided crucial source of news during the Arab Spring .
• It helped in creating awareness about several issues, eg the fight for LGBTQ rights etc.
• Social media has definitely made us closer to other parts of the world.
• WhatsApp is important for rural users, as it helps them cheaply connect to family members far away and send pictures of their products to clients across India.
• Social media platforms provide a platform to raise their voice against injustice and inequality. Voices previously excluded from conversations can now find a channel.Positive Impact of Social Media
• A few decades ago, if a farmer died due to non-repayment of loans, only the family mourned for the loss. Today if the same happens, the entire nation seems to empathize with the death of such farmers.
• Social media have increasingly been adopted by politicians, political activists and social movements as a means to engage, organize and communicate with citizens.
• Technology is double-edged. There are reasons to cheer as also to despair.
• Social media has various negative impacts like privacy issues, information overloads and internet fraud.
• Social media has made the world a small space by allowing mass cultural exchange and intercultural communication.
• India being a secular country is a home for the people of various religious and cultural beliefs. When these beliefs clash the consequences are unpleasant.
• A mere comment or opinion on a certain belief on social media spreads like fire leading to riots and destructive rallies.
• Its heavy usage has ill effects on health issues and there is cyber bullying , online harassment and trolling.
• The trolling of women has brought to the fore the disturbing reality of online violence and abuse women face in India.

Consequences

• A study was conducted to determine the extent to which a person’s opinion is influenced by a group. According to it, an individual was willing to give a wrong answer just to conform to the majority view. This also explains the impact of fake news online, which is said to contribute to a polarised society.
• A study found that factors like user homophily and algorithmic filtering have created the cycle of enforcing and reinforcing belief systems. This ensures that we don’t open our minds to diverse opinions.
• User homophily means users in a social system tend to bond more with ones who are similar to them than to ones who are dissimilar.
• We are getting trapped in narrower world views that are seeping into not only voter behaviour but everyday personal interactions.
• WhatsApp faced severe criticism as lynching incidents flared up by free flow of fake news on the platform.
• Twitter along with Facebook came under intense scrutiny of policymakers in the US for its failure to stop the spread of misinformation during the 2016 election.
• WhatsApp launched a nationwide campaign called “Share Joy, Not Rumours” to help prevent the spread of rumours and fake news.
• Facebook launched #Socialforgood campaign to address issues such as cyber bullying, mental wellbeing, and entrepreneurship and was targeted primarily at young users.
• Twitter launched #PowerOf18 campaign to encourage youth to contribute to public debate and participate in civic engagement in the upcoming election season.
• These campaigns are a way to take ownership of what’s happening on these platforms and find ways to weed out negative content.
• Has social media cumulatively helped the average citizen more in this pandemic than most modern governments?
• Yes, It connected broken healthcare, breaking news, kind volunteers and depressed loved ones through a digital string in a way a lot of heads of states failed to do.
• But we need these mediums for even more important reasons to amplify the crying rallies of the weak and curtail the trampling arrogance of the strong.
• Corporate and political power has overwhelmed large sections of the media, both print and visual, which lead to vested interests and destroy freedom.
• The rise of polarizing and divisive content  has been a defining moment of modern politics, which is fed by fake news propagation through social media channels.
• Section 124a of IPC under which sedition is punishable by life imprisonment endanger the freedom of journalists . This lead to fear among journalists to work freely.
• Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 imposes certain obligation on significant social media intermediaries.
• Another dangerous element is the  labelling and trolling of more rational voices  or those who disagreed with the government’s actions or dominant public discourse as “anti-national.”
• Many terror modules were busted by police in India, all of whose members were groomed, trained, funded and armed by their handlers on social networking sites.
• World over, there are cases of terrorist operations, especially lone wolf attacks, being coordinated through social media.
• A better and more effective approach to limit the influence of hoaxes on WhatsApp and other platforms is to increase media literacy .
• Data leaks at Facebook and Uber in the recent past have proven that the encryption has to be so high.
• The government should bring out a policy framework on the possible harm due to the internet messaging platforms to engage at a deeper level.
• The need of the hour is to tackle the gendered aspect of online abuse and uphold the rights of women in India.
• The media Wing of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has been assisting various arms of the government in keeping an eye on activities on various social media platforms. Such practices must be encouraged at all scales and institutions.
• Several Social Media houses have put up a mix of automated and human driven editorial processes  to promote or filter certain types of content.
• These Artificial Intelligence units will automatically flash the danger of mis reporting every time an image or news is shared. This practice must be strengthened and disseminated.

Conclusion:

As India is not a surveillance state, there must not be any illegal or unconstitutional check on the right to privacy and freedom of speech and expression  which are the fundamental rights of every citizen.

There must be a balance as the Constitutions itself has provided several limitations on one’s right to speech and expression.

Social Media Platforms can provide safeguards in the event that democratic processes are being intentionally disrupted or harmful falsehoods are spreading , it can help people find out what is true.

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[Answered]Critically examine the role of media as a watchdog in a democracy.

Media constitutes the 4 th pillar of democracy. It plays an important role in keeping democracy alive and thriving. The role of the media is vital as a watchdog for uncovering errors and wrongdoings in the democracy. The Press Freedom Index, released by Reporters without Borders in 2019, ranked India 140 out of 180 countries. This reflects less freedom to media in the country impacting its role as watchdog.

Role of media as a watchdog in a democracy:

• Reporting: Media reporting on public affairs and investigations into wrongdoing in the administration of public affairs is a must for a healthy democracy. This includes exposing frauds or corruption cases that personally benefit politicians.
• Audit: Media plays an important role in auditing government policies and spending. An unbiased media is important for transparent reporting.
• Awareness: Media is important to educate people on issues that are of utmost importance for society. E.g. Increasing number of rape cases are threat to society and reflect state failure to stop it. Media help in generating awareness about these social issues.
• Accountability: Media ensures accountability of the government by exposing the bad state of democracy. By playing its watchdog role, the media help bring about reforms and in the long term, assist in creating a culture of transparency and government accountability.
• Platform for debate: An election cannot be deemed democratic unless the public is fully able to participate. As such, the media are vital in ensuring that there is a transparent platform for debate and participation of the representatives in various national debates and discussion which allow citizens to choose accordingly.
• Bridge: The media is a bridge between the citizens and the government. It help ciitizen’s voice to reach government and help in highlighting various issues in the society.
• Informal opposition: Media also acts as an informal opposition, especially in case of an opposition less in numbers in the legislature. It criticise and debate on various government policies and schemes.

Various challenges:

• Censorship: The political leaders encourage censorship of media. Various efforts are made to control and contain media through stringent norms and regulations.
• Sedition law: Section 124a of IPC under which sedition is punishable by life imprisonment endanger the freedom of journalists. This lead to fear among journalists to work freely,
• Corruption: Paid news, advertorials and fake news are threat to free and unbiased media. All this leads to favouritism and hinders unbiased reporting.
• Political influence: Corporate and political power has overwhelmed large sections of the media, both print and visual, which lead to vested interests and destroy freedom.

Way forward:

• Legislation: Although India has the Press Council of India and specific regulations, the country needs more detailed law regarding the media to protect not only the freedom of expression and speech but also journalists’ safety.
• Strengthening justice system: Strengthening the courts, the police, and the justice system, and the rule of law is important to provide adequate protection for journalists.
• Better regulation: Efforts must be made to enable regulations that would lower the barriers to media ownership and reduce concentration of media ownership.
• Independent agencies: There is a need to establish independent press councils, media watch groups, Ombudsmen, and other media self‐regulatory bodies autonomous from the government.
• Incentivise: Government must Institute awards and other forms of recognition for excellence in watchdog reporting.

India is the biggest democracy in the world and the press and media play an important role in keeping the democracy thriving. Media should be neutral in airing views, as it is a vital link between government and Indian citizens. Media is thus necessary for smooth functioning of democracy.

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Role of Media and Social Networking Sites in Internal Security Challenges

Last updated on February 13, 2024 by ClearIAS Team

Social networking sites and the media are quickly turning into two-edged swords in the internal security system. The impact of social media and traditional/digital media has grown dramatically as a result of the data and digital revolution.

The media and social networking sites play a significant role in internal security challenges. While they can be valuable tools for information dissemination and communication, they can also pose risks and challenges to security.

We will talk about both sides of the two faces of new-age media in this article.

Table of Contents

Internal Security and Media

Despite being regarded as the fourth pillar of democracy, recent print and electronic media performances have called into question those claims. In reality, it has expanded the scope of risks to India’s security environment.

What part does media play in ensuring national security?

The fourth estate is referred to as media. It has a history of independence struggles and has consistently represented societal transformation.

• Its skilled reporting during trying times has aided in fostering national consciousness and solidarity.
• Whether it is a welfare issue or a security issue, the establishment has been kept on its toes because it has spoken the truth to power. Severe corruption in the defense industry was exposed by the Bofors probe.
• By bringing up concerns about infrastructure shortages, defense readiness, and other issues through its reporting, it has engaged in a critical study of the state of internal security challenges. Policy formulation has benefited from early policy discussions on media regulation.
• It has revealed the specifics of when and where the security forces atrocities occurred. It held the government and security forces responsible in this way.
• It has aided in societal resentment’s release and judicial repression.
• The media consistently aids in the proper exposure of societal resentment and reduces the establishment’s susceptibility to uprisings.
• The core tolerant and democratic civilizational and constitutional ethos has always been supported by the entertainment media, including movies, television, and other forms of art. It has aided in bolstering India’s composite society.

What are the media’s effects on internal security challenges?

Despite being effective in its function, the media has recently started acting irresponsibly, endangering the environment’s security.

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• The abundance of news outlets, including print and electronic media, has intensified the already fierce competition.
• Newspapers and electronic media turn to sensationalize the news to stay afloat.
• This frequently leads to issues with law and order.
• The breaking news culture has occasionally led to careless reporting that is harmful to national security.
• Reporting by the media on important topics that can lead to social unrest. According to many social activists, the recent community instances and how the media handled them were extremely divisive. This sows social enmity, which works as a social tension time bomb ready to blow.
• The accuracy of the media’s coverage of terrorism has occasionally been questioned. It makes one group the target of blame, encourages war, and sways public opinion in favor of sometimes unwise, quick, dramatic actions to combat terrorism.
• The media’s coverage of the events on 26/11 came under fire for disclosing important information in the pointless TRP race.
• The post-truth media rests its arguments on feelings rather than just the truth, leaving it open to attack from the enemy and manipulation.
• Institutions of democracy are harmed by the politicization of the news media and skewed reporting.
• A significant worry has been the Fourth Estate’s lack of independence.

Internal security and social networking sites

Ideas advance dramatically daily in the Internet of Things , and disruption is the norm. The introduction of social media is one such disruption that has completely revolutionized how information is shared in real time.

It has upended information hierarchies, widened access, and created a brand-new information exchange ecology. Social media’s disruptive nature also poses numerous internal security challenges.

Also read: Virtual Private Network

In what ways do social networking sites compromise internal security?

Social networking sites create the following challenges to internal security.

• With the growth of social media, the false news phenomenon has exploded. News channels have mostly been overtaken by social media as a source of information. The first news sources for the digital generation are Facebook, Twitter, and other social media websites.
• For instance, the repercussions of fake news were seen when a crowd in Maharashtra launched false reports of child lifting.

War on propaganda

• Facebook pages and WhatsApp groups are being exploited as propaganda tools in social media.
• They serve as radicalism’s echo chambers and radicalize the populace.

Social Media and Terrorism

• ISIS and other terrorist groups are rapidly recruiting new members through social media.
• Unrestricted social media platforms develop into comparatively safer channels of interaction for these terrorist groups.

Platform with no restrictions

• The social media platform is not constrained by territorial restrictions. This has caused outside parties to meddle in domestic matters.

Intolerant religious behavior on social media

• Fundamentalism in religion is being spread via social media more and more. The country’s social fabric is being harmed by the proliferation of false history and news.
• Through social media, hate speech can be spread quickly.

What problems do policing and regulating social networking sites face?

Social media go beyond conventional censorship and regulating systems.

• National governments find it challenging due to social media’s global nature.
• Social media data storage raises jurisdictional concerns when attempting to combat criminality online.
• Private firms, who control a large portion of the infrastructure, view security precautions and routine auditing as superfluous expenses that make it harder to protect individuals from social media-related crimes.
• The impact of social media problems cannot be controlled because smartphones and the internet have reached every aspect of life.

What are the legal controls over social networking sites?

• Information Technology Act 2000 (IT Act 2000) is the primary law connected with cyber security in India.
• The Information Technology Act of 2000 and its intermediate regulations, which were published under the IT Act of 2011 , apply to social networking networks.
• Numerous clauses in the IT Act, most notably Sections 69A and 79, can be utilized to restrict internet content.
• Security organizations keep an eye on social media sites for threats and work to reduce them. By working along with those sites, several offensive social media platforms have been removed.

Here’s an overview of the roles of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges:

Dissemination of Information:

• Positive Role: Media and social networking sites are essential channels for disseminating information about security threats, emergencies, and government actions. They can help raise public awareness and facilitate timely responses to crises.
• Negative Role: Misinformation and disinformation can spread rapidly through these platforms, causing panic and confusion during crises. False or misleading information can also undermine public trust in authorities and institutions.

Radicalization and Extremist Propaganda:

• Positive Role: Authorities can monitor social media for signs of radicalization and extremism, enabling them to identify potential threats and take preventive measures.
• Negative Role: Extremist groups use social networking sites to recruit, radicalize, and spread propaganda. This can lead to incidents of terrorism and political violence.

Privacy and Surveillance:

• Positive Role: Media and civil society can play a vital role in highlighting issues related to government surveillance and infringement on individual privacy rights. Advocacy and reporting can lead to policy changes to protect civil liberties.
• Negative Role: Social networking sites and communication apps can be used for surveillance by governments and malicious actors. Personal data and communication can be compromised, posing threats to individual privacy.

Cybersecurity Threats:

• Positive Role: Media can report on cybersecurity threats and educate the public about safe online practices, helping individuals and organizations protect themselves from cyberattacks.
• Negative Role: Cybercriminals use social networking sites and communication networks for phishing, malware distribution, and cyberattacks. Media reports on high-profile cyberattacks can cause panic and damage a country’s reputation.

Manipulation of Public Opinion:

• Positive Role: Media and social networking sites can provide a platform for citizens to express their opinions and participate in democratic processes.
• Negative Role: Malicious actors, including foreign governments, can use social media to spread disinformation, manipulate public opinion, and interfere in elections, potentially undermining the democratic process and creating social unrest.

Reporting on Security Operations:

• Positive Role: Media serves as a watchdog, reporting on security operations, government actions, and human rights abuses. This can lead to accountability and transparency in security matters.
• Negative Role: Premature or inaccurate reporting can compromise security operations, put lives at risk, and hinder law enforcement efforts.

Cybersecurity Awareness:

• Positive Role: Media can raise awareness about cybersecurity threats, encouraging individuals and organizations to adopt best practices for online safety.
• Negative Role: Media outlets can inadvertently provide information or details about cyber vulnerabilities and exploits, potentially aiding malicious actors.

Communication During Emergencies:

• Positive Role: Social networking sites and messaging apps can be crucial tools for communication during emergencies, enabling people to connect with authorities, loved ones, and emergency services.
• Negative Role: Overuse of communication networks during emergencies can strain infrastructure and lead to network congestion, hindering response efforts.

Way forward

Media has become a deadly weapon against the opposition and the general public in a globalized world. Information functions as a strategic tool within the framework of grand strategy as a component of soft power. Social media should be used responsibly.

However, we will need to consider taking action to prevent its exploitation from endangering the nation’s internal security. Social media is undoubtedly a blessing to our world, with all of its advantages and possibilities for growth, but misuse or careless use can have detrimental impacts on internal security.

To combat the threat, the national government must modernize its security infrastructure.

Social media should be used correctly for creative or constructive reasons to be progressive for humanity and society as a whole rather than regressive, as we must guard against its negative effects.

Also read:  Creator economy

Article Written By: Aryadevi

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UPSC Essays Simplified | Themes and content of psychological essays

In recent years, upsc essay topics incorporating elements of psychology have become increasingly relevant. from emotional intelligence to motivation and more — here's how to structure and what to write in essays with psychological dimension..

UPSC Mains is approaching. One of the most popular questions in the aspirants’ minds for the mains preparation is:  How to write essays for UPSC Civil Services Exams?  We have an answer for you in the form of our this series.

In UPSC Essentials’ special series  UPSC Essays Simplified , we take you through various steps of writing a good essay. While there is no set formula or fixed criteria prescribed,  Manas Srivastava  talks to  Ravi Kapoor , our expert, in this new series who guides the aspirants with a simplified framework on how to write a good essay. Don’t miss  ‘The Essay Exercise’  towards the end of the article.

About our Expert:  Ravi Kapoor (Ex-IRS)  offers free quality mentorship to UPSC aspirants, drawing upon his ten years of experience to create customised and productive curriculum. Through a free mentorship programme, he integrates tailored educational materials, psychological principles, visual learning techniques, and a strong emphasis on mental well-being into his teaching skills granting aspirants a chance to learn from his expertise.

From last 3 weeks, we have started to devote one article to each of the dimensions of essay topics and go into the details of the themes, so that you never run out of content while writing an essay on any topic. In past we have discussed spiritual essays ,   temporal Essays and ethical essays . Today, let’s talk about essays with psychological  dimensions.

Q. Why is it important to prepare Essays with psychological dimensions for UPSC?

In recent years, UPSC essay topics incorporating elements of psychology—such as intelligence, creativity, and emotional well-being—have become increasingly relevant. These topics require an understanding of psychological concepts, their application in everyday life, and their broader societal implications.

Drawing from previous UPSC essay topics, we can anticipate how these themes might be explored in the examination.

Q. What are the key themes and content ideas for essays with psychological dimensions?

1. The Concept of Emotional Intelligence:

“Emotional Intelligence is the Key to Success in Life”

Theme:  Emotional intelligence (EI) involves the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others. It is increasingly recognized as critical to personal and professional success.

Content Ideas:

Discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, particularly in public service. Use examples like Mahatma Gandhi, whose ability to connect emotionally with the masses played a significant role in India’s independence movement.

Analyze the role of EI in conflict resolution, both in personal relationships and in larger social contexts, such as peace negotiations or community mediation.

Reflect on the integration of emotional intelligence into the education system, with initiatives like the introduction of life skills education in Indian schools, which emphasize the development of social and emotional learning.

2. The Power of Creativity:

“Creativity is the Greatest Rebellion in Existence”

Theme:  Creativity is often seen as a form of rebellion against conventional thinking, leading to innovation and progress. This theme invites exploration of how creativity drives societal change.

Discuss the role of creativity in innovation and entrepreneurship, using examples like India’s tech industry, where creative problem-solving has led to the emergence of successful startups.

Reflect on the role of creativity in the arts and culture, such as the Indian film industry (Bollywood), which blends traditional narratives with innovative storytelling techniques to reach a global audience.

Analyze the importance of fostering creativity in education, where a balance between rote learning and creative thinking is necessary to prepare students for the challenges of the future.

3. The Psychology of Motivation:

“Success is 99% Perspiration and 1% Inspiration” (UPSC 2017)

Theme:  This theme explores the balance between hard work and inspiration in achieving success, emphasizing the psychological aspects of motivation and perseverance.

Discuss the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in achieving personal and professional goals, using examples of Indian sports personalities like P.V. Sindhu, who has demonstrated extraordinary perseverance and dedication.

Reflect on how motivation influences productivity in the workplace, drawing on examples from the Indian corporate sector where employee engagement initiatives have been used to boost morale and performance.

Analyze the impact of societal expectations on motivation, particularly in the context of India’s competitive examination culture, where students face immense pressure to succeed, sometimes at the cost of their mental well-being.

4. Intelligence and its Various Forms:

“The True Measure of Intelligence is Not Knowledge but Imagination” (UPSC 2016)

Theme:  This theme challenges the conventional understanding of intelligence as merely the ability to acquire knowledge, emphasizing instead the role of imagination and creativity.

Discuss the multiple intelligences theory proposed by Howard Gardner, highlighting how different types of intelligence, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, and interpersonal intelligence, contribute to success in various fields.

Reflect on the role of imagination in scientific discoveries and technological innovations, using examples like Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s contributions to India’s space and missile programs, where imaginative thinking played a key role.

Analyze the limitations of standardized testing in measuring intelligence, and discuss the need for a more holistic approach to assessing cognitive abilities in India’s education system.

5. The Role of Mindfulness and Mental Health:

“Mindfulness is the Art of Living in the Present Moment”

Theme:  Mindfulness, or the practice of being fully present and engaged in the current moment, is increasingly recognized as vital for mental health and overall well-being.

Discuss the growing importance of mindfulness in managing stress and anxiety, particularly in high-pressure environments like the civil services or corporate sector in India.

Reflect on the integration of mindfulness practices into Indian schools and workplaces, where programs like yoga and meditation are being used to enhance mental well-being and productivity.

Analyze the impact of mindfulness on personal growth and self-awareness, using examples of Indian spiritual leaders like Swami Vivekananda, who emphasized the importance of inner peace and self-realization.

6. The Psychology of Success and Failure: “Failure is the Stepping Stone to Success” (UPSC 2017)

Theme:  This theme explores the psychological aspects of dealing with failure and how it can be a catalyst for growth and eventual success.

Discuss the role of resilience in overcoming failure, using examples from Indian entrepreneurs like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who faced numerous setbacks before building Biocon into a global biotech company.

Reflect on the societal attitudes towards failure in India, particularly in the context of education and career choices, and how these attitudes can either motivate or discourage individuals.

Analyze the importance of a growth mindset, where failure is viewed as a learning opportunity rather than a setback, and how this perspective is being promoted in Indian schools and universities.

Q. How to structure the psychological dimensional essays?

To effectively address these themes in an essay, it is essential to maintain a well-organized structure:

1. Introduction:  Begin by introducing the concept of pop psychology and its relevance in understanding human behavior and societal dynamics. Briefly outline the specific theme or topic of the essay and its importance in the modern world.

2. Main Body:

Psychological Insights:  Incorporate key psychological theories and concepts, presented in a way that is accessible to the layperson, to provide depth to the discussion.

Practical Examples:  Use relevant Indian examples to illustrate key points, demonstrating how psychological principles are applied in various contexts.

Contemporary Relevance:  Connect psychological principles to contemporary issues, showing how they continue to be relevant in addressing the challenges of modern society.

Conclusion:  Summarize the key arguments made in the essay, reflecting on the broader implications of pop psychology in shaping individual and collective behaviour. Emphasize the importance of understanding psychological concepts in personal and public life and suggest areas for further exploration or action.

By exploring these themes and content ideas in detail, candidates can craft essays that are not only insightful but also demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between psychological principles and everyday life. The use of previous UPSC essay topics as a reference enriches the content, making the essay more compelling and relevant for the examination.

The UPSC Essay Exercise

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For your answers, queries and suggestions write at manas.srivastava@ indianexpress.com .

Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than four years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called ‘Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik’ and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called ‘You Ask We Answer’.His talks on ‘How to read a newspaper’ focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University’s Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women’s Studies by the Women’s Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on ‘Psychological stress among students’ at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More

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Essay on ‘Social Media’ is Inherently a Selfish Medium

January 6, 2020 by Sandeep

Essay on Social Media is Inherently a Selfish Medium

Youngsters of today are very popular on social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram etc. These handles provide the youth with an opportunity to keep contact with their alumni network, post latest updates about their life, connect with friends from remote places, post pictures and so on.

Earlier, people used to communicate with friends over letters and later through e-mails and chats. Now this has been made easy through social media where every second of a person’s life can be updated on an easy platform.

A Broader Perspective of Social Media

Be it Facebook or twitter or any other social platform, they purely work on the policy that ‘people are more interested in others’ lives than their own’. In other words, people almost always are very curious to know what is happening in their friends’ circles, their acquaintances and known circles and want to stay updated and find this a good way to network.

Suppose you had a high school friend who got disconnected with you after school days, you probably thought of an opportunity to re-connect with that friend again. Earlier, you had to accomplish this task either by searching for his/her phone number and then calling them up or exchanging letters with them.

An updated version of this communication was exchanging mails, which was also, to a certain extent took some time for the communication to happen both ways. Then came instant chats and messengers to ease our communication tasks.

With social media platforms at the fore, we no longer need to stay glued to e-mails to look forward to any kind of communication from our friends. One message from a friend and it will be broadcasted to all his friends connected with his profile and everybody in that loop will know the latest updates of his life.

That is, social media platforms basically use the broadcast technology to pop a single message to a network of relevant members, who the sender wishes to share his message with.

Shortcomings of Social Media

Ask any kindergarten student about Facebook, and he is sure to educate you about the current profile picture that his parents have and what statuses they have in their current state. Such is the popularity of social media handles that people spend a majority of time in front of them, not thinking whether it is necessary or not, whether it is relevant to them or not.

Earlier, people used to spend a lot of time reading books of their interest. This was partly taken over by the internet rage, when people discovered that they could get information about almost everything under the sun, when they did a mere search on internet.

Now with active social media platforms taking over our lives, people are so glued to these channels that personal lives are taking a sure backseat. This is where social media plays a selfish role, in that the individual forgets that it is only a small part of his life and he cannot put his whole life on showcase over these channels.

Be it a holiday with our family, a festival at home or something as simple as buying a new dress, the first thing that comes on people’s minds is to promote it on their respective social media account.

Not just that, people form groups with their like minded friends and talk about various topics. In other words, it becomes a medium of expression to voice your opinions about a currently happening debate or a current topic in the country that is of rage with the youth.

Why social media plays the selfish part is, people talk to any extent on these platforms without thinking of the consequences. It’s good to express our opinions but stretching beyond boundaries is a bad thing, a selfish thing.

When things go out of hand, people face dire consequences, could lead to arrests etc. This kind of promotion being initiated on these social media platforms and later provoking people to speak blindly causes many problems in people’s lives.

Selfish that it may look for these platforms, they fail to an extent where the personal life of the individual sometimes takes a backseat.

Multidimensional ‘Selfish’ Faces of Social Media

Taking selfies is the most happening thing of today. There are people who dress up every morning just to take a selfie and replace it with their earlier photograph on their respective accounts. Isn’t this a sort of forced behaviour that these social media handles are creating? It may further lead to obsession and may cause disturbances in the normal functioning of the individual as well.

There have been many selfie deaths reported from various parts of the world. People, in a hurry to show the world that they are up to something, forget to see the bigger picture and restrict their minds towards these media.

A new thing that has surfaced over recent times is the increasing thefts that are happening in various pockets of the world due to Facebook promotions. When a person showcases himself to the public on his Facebook account when on a vacation with his family, he is indirectly sending out a message that the house is empty and can be explored by those waiting to carry out such tasks.

On similar lines, many thefts and burglaries have been reported from around the world and we ought to be careful the next time we think of posting a beautiful picture of our family on a spring vacation.

Women exploitation is a common thing heard of everywhere. Cyber crime is difficult to be handled, yet these social media platforms to a great extent are indirectly promoting the occurrence of many such incidents.

There have been so many cases where photos and pictures of beautiful and popular women are picked up from these social media accounts and later distorted or used for unethical purposes. This amounts to false defamation of the individual involved and attracts legal penalties from the Cyber world.

Precautions Please!

Social media handles are not bad. They are only doing their business, but in a more attractive and prospective way as they please. It is left to us to exercise caution when we publicly post our pictures or send out sensitive messages on these handles.

There could be a possibility of misuse of data from these social media platforms. Security policies in place in these handles could be exploited by wrong doers at any moment and we may become victims of these kinds of cyber crimes.

Every new platform, be it on social media or any other useful venture has its own advantages and disadvantages. Social media platforms definitely play a great role in staying connected and networking with like minded groups and individuals, but have many shortcomings too.

On the flip side of the coin, these media can actually act as selfish platforms that grab required data from individual accounts and use it as per their greed or unsolicited requirements. Much is done to curb the misuse of data by enforcing strict Cyber laws in place, but violations happen everywhere.

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Make Your Note

Media Bias and Democracy

• 25 Mar 2023
• 11 min read
• GS Paper - 2
• Fundamental Rights
• Quasi Judicial Bodies

This editorial is based on “‘Press must remain free if a country is to remain a democracy....” which was published in the Indian Express on 24/03/2023. It discusses the issue of freedom of press in India and ways to address the same.

For Prelims: Article 19, Freedom of Press, Fake News, Madrid Principles

For Mains: Role of Media in Promoting Democracy and related challenges

The media is the fourth pillar in the conception of the State, and thus an integral component of democracy. A functional and healthy democracy must encourage the development of journalism as an institution that can ask difficult questions to the establishment — or as it is commonly known, “speak truth to power”.

Article 19 of the Constitution of India guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression and is typically invoked against the state. However, despite the constitutional protection, journalists and media outlets in India have faced a range of challenges , including threats, attacks, and intimidation from government officials, politicians, and non-state actors.

Media is the engine that drives democracy forward, based on the quest for truth, justice, and equality . In today's digital age, the need for journalists to uphold standards of accuracy, impartiality, and responsibility in their reporting is paramount to successfully overcome the challenges posed by the rapidly changing media landscape.

What Role does Media Play in Promoting Democracy?

• The media informs citizens about political issues, policies, and events, allowing them to make informed decisions about their leaders and government.
• The media acts as a watchdog, scrutinizing the actions of government officials and holding them accountable for their actions.
• The media provides a platform for public debate and discussion about political issues, which is essential for a healthy democracy.
• The media should represent a range of perspectives and viewpoints, giving citizens access to a variety of opinions and ideas.
• The media should educate citizens about the democratic process, helping them understand how government works and how to participate in it effectively.

What are the Challenges with the Role of Media in Democracy?

• Media bias can distort the information that is presented to the public , leading to a lack of objectivity and an imbalance in the information that is available. This can result in a polarized public opinion and a lack of trust in the media.
• The mainstream media in India is often indulged in either being pro-government or totally against them they are choosing extreme point of views and are not trying balancing out, rather ignoring issues related to common folks.
• The rise of social media has made it easier for fake news to spread rapidly, often leading to confusion and misinformation among the public.
• Recently, two men in Haryana were killed on suspicion of illegal transportation, smuggling or slaughtering of cows by cow vigilantes highlight the issue of Mob Lynching.
• Media outlets are often owned by large corporations, which can influence the editorial policies and reporting of the media. This can lead to a lack of diversity of perspectives and a focus on profit over public interest.
• Governments may use censorship to control the flow of information and suppress dissent. This can lead to a lack of transparency and accountability in the government and limit the ability of the media to act as a watchdog.
• A diverse and representative newsroom is essential for media institutions to provide well-researched and complex stories that explore a multiplicity of perspectives and voices.
• This can arise due to various factors such as political biases, commercial interests, sensationalism, and lack of journalistic standards.
• The lack of gender diversity in the media is another important issue to consider. Women are underrepresented in both the ownership and workforce of media organizations, which limits the diversity of perspectives and voices in the media. It also perpetuates gender stereotypes and reinforces patriarchal norms.
• There have been instances when the media has carried narratives that make a person guilty in the eyes of the public, even before the court finds them guilty.
• One example of a media trial in India was the 2008 Aarushi Talwar-Hemraj double murder case. The case received extensive media coverage and the media played a significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing the investigation and subsequent court proceedings.
• According to the Madrid Principles on the Relationship Between the Media and Judicial Independence, it is the job of the media to “convey information to the public and to comment on the administration of justice, including cases before, during and after trial, without violating the presumption of innocence.”

What Should be the Way Forward?

• It is the collective responsibility of journalists as well as other stakeholders to weed out any element of bias or prejudice from the process of reporting events.
• A comprehensive fact-checking mechanism should be in place to verify all news items before reporting. Media houses are expected to act cautiously while publishing news.
• The media should strive to represent diverse voices and perspectives to ensure that all viewpoints are heard and considered. This can help to promote a more informed and engaged citizenry.
• One of the key roles of the media is to hold those in power accountable by reporting on their actions and decisions. This includes investigating corruption and abuse of power.
• The media can play a key role in fostering public discourse by providing a platform for debate and discussion. This can help to promote understanding and dialogue between different groups, leading to more informed and inclusive decision-making.
• The media should strive to avoid bias in its reporting to ensure that it is perceived as fair and objective by all parties. This can help to build trust in the media and promote its role in democracy.
• Journalists are facing online harassment due to the rise of social media. This affects their safety and freedom of expression. India needs to take measures to address this issue and ensure the safety of journalists.
• While the media has an important role in promoting democracy, citizens also have a responsibility to consume news critically and discerningly . Media literacy programs can help citizens to better understand how the media works , how to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources, and how to engage in informed public discourse.
• In addition to large mainstream media outlets, there is a need to support and promote independent journalism in India. This can include funding for investigative reporting, support for community-based media, and protection for freelance journalists and stringers who often face greater risks than staff journalists.
• While Article 19 of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, there are no specific provisions for the protection of journalists.
• It is important that the media stick to the core principles like truth and accuracy, transparency, independence, fairness and impartiality, responsibility and fair play.

Samantha Putterman, PolitiFact Samantha Putterman, PolitiFact

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• Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-warnings-from-democrats-about-project-2025-and-donald-trump

Fact-checking warnings from Democrats about Project 2025 and Donald Trump

This fact check originally appeared on PolitiFact .

Project 2025 has a starring role in this week’s Democratic National Convention.

And it was front and center on Night 1.

WATCH: Hauling large copy of Project 2025, Michigan state Sen. McMorrow speaks at 2024 DNC

“This is Project 2025,” Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, said as she laid a hardbound copy of the 900-page document on the lectern. “Over the next four nights, you are going to hear a lot about what is in this 900-page document. Why? Because this is the Republican blueprint for a second Trump term.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has warned Americans about “Trump’s Project 2025” agenda — even though former President Donald Trump doesn’t claim the conservative presidential transition document.

“Donald Trump wants to take our country backward,” Harris said July 23 in Milwaukee. “He and his extreme Project 2025 agenda will weaken the middle class. Like, we know we got to take this seriously, and can you believe they put that thing in writing?”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, has joined in on the talking point.

“Don’t believe (Trump) when he’s playing dumb about this Project 2025. He knows exactly what it’ll do,” Walz said Aug. 9 in Glendale, Arizona.

Trump’s campaign has worked to build distance from the project, which the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, led with contributions from dozens of conservative groups.

Much of the plan calls for extensive executive-branch overhauls and draws on both long-standing conservative principles, such as tax cuts, and more recent culture war issues. It lays out recommendations for disbanding the Commerce and Education departments, eliminating certain climate protections and consolidating more power to the president.

Project 2025 offers a sweeping vision for a Republican-led executive branch, and some of its policies mirror Trump’s 2024 agenda, But Harris and her presidential campaign have at times gone too far in describing what the project calls for and how closely the plans overlap with Trump’s campaign.

PolitiFact researched Harris’ warnings about how the plan would affect reproductive rights, federal entitlement programs and education, just as we did for President Joe Biden’s Project 2025 rhetoric. Here’s what the project does and doesn’t call for, and how it squares with Trump’s positions.

Are Trump and Project 2025 connected?

To distance himself from Project 2025 amid the Democratic attacks, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he “knows nothing” about it and has “no idea” who is in charge of it. (CNN identified at least 140 former advisers from the Trump administration who have been involved.)

The Heritage Foundation sought contributions from more than 100 conservative organizations for its policy vision for the next Republican presidency, which was published in 2023.

Project 2025 is now winding down some of its policy operations, and director Paul Dans, a former Trump administration official, is stepping down, The Washington Post reported July 30. Trump campaign managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita denounced the document.

WATCH: A look at the Project 2025 plan to reshape government and Trump’s links to its authors

However, Project 2025 contributors include a number of high-ranking officials from Trump’s first administration, including former White House adviser Peter Navarro and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.

A recently released recording of Russell Vought, a Project 2025 author and the former director of Trump’s Office of Management and Budget, showed Vought saying Trump’s “very supportive of what we do.” He said Trump was only distancing himself because Democrats were making a bogeyman out of the document.

Project 2025 wouldn’t ban abortion outright, but would curtail access

The Harris campaign shared a graphic on X that claimed “Trump’s Project 2025 plan for workers” would “go after birth control and ban abortion nationwide.”

The plan doesn’t call to ban abortion nationwide, though its recommendations could curtail some contraceptives and limit abortion access.

What’s known about Trump’s abortion agenda neither lines up with Harris’ description nor Project 2025’s wish list.

Project 2025 says the Department of Health and Human Services Department should “return to being known as the Department of Life by explicitly rejecting the notion that abortion is health care.”

It recommends that the Food and Drug Administration reverse its 2000 approval of mifepristone, the first pill taken in a two-drug regimen for a medication abortion. Medication is the most common form of abortion in the U.S. — accounting for around 63 percent in 2023.

If mifepristone were to remain approved, Project 2025 recommends new rules, such as cutting its use from 10 weeks into pregnancy to seven. It would have to be provided to patients in person — part of the group’s efforts to limit access to the drug by mail. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge to mifepristone’s FDA approval over procedural grounds.

WATCH: Trump’s plans for health care and reproductive rights if he returns to White House The manual also calls for the Justice Department to enforce the 1873 Comstock Act on mifepristone, which bans the mailing of “obscene” materials. Abortion access supporters fear that a strict interpretation of the law could go further to ban mailing the materials used in procedural abortions, such as surgical instruments and equipment.

The plan proposes withholding federal money from states that don’t report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention how many abortions take place within their borders. The plan also would prohibit abortion providers, such as Planned Parenthood, from receiving Medicaid funds. It also calls for the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that the training of medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, omits abortion training.

The document says some forms of emergency contraception — particularly Ella, a pill that can be taken within five days of unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy — should be excluded from no-cost coverage. The Affordable Care Act requires most private health insurers to cover recommended preventive services, which involves a range of birth control methods, including emergency contraception.

Trump has recently said states should decide abortion regulations and that he wouldn’t block access to contraceptives. Trump said during his June 27 debate with Biden that he wouldn’t ban mifepristone after the Supreme Court “approved” it. But the court rejected the lawsuit based on standing, not the case’s merits. He has not weighed in on the Comstock Act or said whether he supports it being used to block abortion medication, or other kinds of abortions.

Project 2025 doesn’t call for cutting Social Security, but proposes some changes to Medicare

“When you read (Project 2025),” Harris told a crowd July 23 in Wisconsin, “you will see, Donald Trump intends to cut Social Security and Medicare.”

The Project 2025 document does not call for Social Security cuts. None of its 10 references to Social Security addresses plans for cutting the program.

Harris also misleads about Trump’s Social Security views.

In his earlier campaigns and before he was a politician, Trump said about a half-dozen times that he’s open to major overhauls of Social Security, including cuts and privatization. More recently, in a March 2024 CNBC interview, Trump said of entitlement programs such as Social Security, “There’s a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting.” However, he quickly walked that statement back, and his CNBC comment stands at odds with essentially everything else Trump has said during the 2024 presidential campaign.

Trump’s campaign website says that not “a single penny” should be cut from Social Security. We rated Harris’ claim that Trump intends to cut Social Security Mostly False.

Project 2025 does propose changes to Medicare, including making Medicare Advantage, the private insurance offering in Medicare, the “default” enrollment option. Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans have provider networks and can also require prior authorization, meaning that the plan can approve or deny certain services. Original Medicare plans don’t have prior authorization requirements.

The manual also calls for repealing health policies enacted under Biden, such as the Inflation Reduction Act. The law enabled Medicare to negotiate with drugmakers for the first time in history, and recently resulted in an agreement with drug companies to lower the prices of 10 expensive prescriptions for Medicare enrollees.

Trump, however, has said repeatedly during the 2024 presidential campaign that he will not cut Medicare.

Project 2025 would eliminate the Education Department, which Trump supports

The Harris campaign said Project 2025 would “eliminate the U.S. Department of Education” — and that’s accurate. Project 2025 says federal education policy “should be limited and, ultimately, the federal Department of Education should be eliminated.” The plan scales back the federal government’s role in education policy and devolves the functions that remain to other agencies.

Aside from eliminating the department, the project also proposes scrapping the Biden administration’s Title IX revision, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also would let states opt out of federal education programs and calls for passing a federal parents’ bill of rights similar to ones passed in some Republican-led state legislatures.

Republicans, including Trump, have pledged to close the department, which gained its status in 1979 within Democratic President Jimmy Carter’s presidential Cabinet.

In one of his Agenda 47 policy videos, Trump promised to close the department and “to send all education work and needs back to the states.” Eliminating the department would have to go through Congress.

What Project 2025, Trump would do on overtime pay

In the graphic, the Harris campaign says Project 2025 allows “employers to stop paying workers for overtime work.”

The plan doesn’t call for banning overtime wages. It recommends changes to some Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, regulations and to overtime rules. Some changes, if enacted, could result in some people losing overtime protections, experts told us.

The document proposes that the Labor Department maintain an overtime threshold “that does not punish businesses in lower-cost regions (e.g., the southeast United States).” This threshold is the amount of money executive, administrative or professional employees need to make for an employer to exempt them from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

In 2019, the Trump’s administration finalized a rule that expanded overtime pay eligibility to most salaried workers earning less than about $35,568, which it said made about 1.3 million more workers eligible for overtime pay. The Trump-era threshold is high enough to cover most line workers in lower-cost regions, Project 2025 said.

The Biden administration raised that threshold to $43,888 beginning July 1, and that will rise to $58,656 on Jan. 1, 2025. That would grant overtime eligibility to about 4 million workers, the Labor Department said.

It’s unclear how many workers Project 2025’s proposal to return to the Trump-era overtime threshold in some parts of the country would affect, but experts said some would presumably lose the right to overtime wages.

Other overtime proposals in Project 2025’s plan include allowing some workers to choose to accumulate paid time off instead of overtime pay, or to work more hours in one week and fewer in the next, rather than receive overtime.

Trump’s past with overtime pay is complicated. In 2016, the Obama administration said it would raise the overtime to salaried workers earning less than $47,476 a year, about double the exemption level set in 2004 of $23,660 a year.

But when a judge blocked the Obama rule, the Trump administration didn’t challenge the court ruling. Instead it set its own overtime threshold, which raised the amount, but by less than Obama.

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