Social Media Use and Changing Public Space: A Sociological Study of District Murshidabad

Abstract

The study began with qualitative observations of social life in rural Murshidabad. Such qualitative observations were free from preconceived notions about the research area. Initial observations revealed that social media (SM) usage has become an essential part of daily life and is changing the interaction patterns of users. Building on these primary findings, the study further investigates SM use through e-interview-schedule and case study methods. The case studies focused on individuals who demonstrated patterns of excessive SM use as identified through quantification. After analyzing the data using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the study concludes that SM usage has significantly impacted the research field and has contributed to social change. Ultimately, the findings are aligned with Habermas’ theory of the public sphere and Bauman’s theory of liquid life. This theoretical alignment with the examined data shows that utilization of SM is reinforcing changes and transforming the public sphere into a liquid sphere.