Social media has made everyday life more visual, polished, and performative. The Indian Express column argues that people increasingly edit and stage their lives so that they appear more successful, attractive, and complete than they actually are.
The author treats this as a social change, not a harmless style preference. The pressure to maintain a flawless online image can weaken spontaneity, make relationships feel transactional, and leave people measuring value by appearance rather than lived experience.
For UPSC, the issue connects to the impact of digital culture on mental health, social behaviour, and the ethics of authenticity. It also raises questions about how public platforms can reshape private life and how individuals can preserve emotional balance in an attention-driven environment.
Why the issue matters for examinations
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