X (previously Twitter) has expanded significantly beyond the idea of just a microblogging service. In India, it has become a potent means of expression, activism, and impact. It is the voice and potential activism platform of the country's youth. As of 2022, there are over 25 million users in India, many 30 years and younger. X impacts opinions and discourse and provides a place for young Indians to express themselves, relating to society, political interest, entertainment, and identity.
A Platform for Expression and Identity
For youth in India, platform X serves as a public diary, deliberative space, and stage. Through X, youth can:
- Share their thoughts and opinions on public issues ranging from politics, education, mental health, and social issues.
- Form communities based on the same interests, such as fandoms, gaming, tech, finance, etc.
- Track real-time trends on a global and national level.
X is typically used by young users as a digital identity space to express their opinions without the constraints and limitations of mainstream media. Whether it is organizing protests, defending their favorite cricketer, or initiating meme trends, Gen Z Indians are finding themselves at the center of the internet.
Impact on Culture and Trends
X has emerged as a trendsetting platform among India's youth. From trending hashtags to influencer spats, the platform influences:
- Pop culture: From music releases to movie promotions, surveilling celebrities is constantly done across X, where someone's interaction with X can go ‘viral’ – just like pop culture.
- Language: You can account for the language spoken in India, whether it is slang, traditional Hindi, Hinglish, mixed with local dialects, etc...
- Career trajectories: A large number of young professionals and creatives use X showcase portfolios, communicate with thought leaders, and employ opportunities (or freelance).
Much of this cultural currency has created influencers, meme pages, and even startup founders who become 'popular' because they know how to game the X algorithm.
Social Awareness and Political Engagement
X serves, more than likely, in a key role as a catalyst for civic engagement. Young Indians are making use of the platform to:
- Provide coverage, analysis, and discussion of political news.
- Organize social justice movements (for example, the anti-CAA protests, climate action, gender action).
- Hold public figures accountable through viral threads and hashtag campaigns.
X allows voice and visibility to be democratized. However, this also presents the challenge of misinformation, trolling, and echo chambers, making the need for digital literacy more important than ever.
Influence on Mental Health and Behavior
The rapid nature and performative aspects of X can influence the mental health of youth:
- Positive - validation, community, and ICT support individuals through tough times.
- Negative - burnout from hyper-engagement, fear of missing out (FOMO), and online bullying.
There seems to be an awareness around establishing healthy boundaries, muting toxic accounts, and curating timelines to avoid negativity.
Rise of Niche Communities
This niche appeal is exemplified by the emerging gaming and betting communities in India. As platforms like Valor Bet India grow in popularity with gamers and esports enthusiasts, X will become a point of reference for:
- Sharing match schedules and odds.
- Conversing and discussing in real-time, during events.
- Promoting responsible gaming and education on betting morals and ethics.
Just as X helps fans keep track of cricket scores or political debates, it expands into dedicated spaces for micro-communities to build and relate to within the gaming spheres of fantasy, esports, etc. Here, X serves as an ambitious environment, both a platform and a cultural touchpoint for the larger digital ecosystem for Indian youth.
What the Future Holds
With young people in India increasingly turning to the internet for learning, entertainment, and activism, X will likely continue to help shape:
- Public opinion.
- Careers in technology, politics, and entertainment.
- Online cultures and memes are driven by language diversity and social causes.
Whether for social justice threads, gaming posts, or fan wars, X is more than a platform—it's a microcosm of India's most connected, opinionated, creative generation.
