Section Article

DIGITAL MEDIA AND TRANSFORMATIONS IN SOCIAL STRUCTURES
Author(s): Raja Ram Mohan

Abstract
Digital media has emerged as one of the most influential forces shaping contemporary social structures redefining the ways individuals communicate construct identity participate in civic life and form social relationships. The rapid evolution of digital technologies particularly around the year 2020 accelerated global reliance on online platforms for communication education governance commerce and cultural interaction. As societies became increasingly interconnected through social networks streaming platforms virtual communities and algorithmically mediated information flows digital media began influencing the foundations of social institutions including family education economy politics and collective behavior. Traditional hierarchical structures of communication were replaced by decentralized participatory and highly interactive digital ecosystems. This paper explores how digital media transforms social norms reshapes interpersonal relationships alters power dynamics influences identity formation expands public discourse and reconfigures collective action. Drawing from pre-2018 scholarly research and situating the discussion in the digital expansion experienced around 2020 this study examines the socio-cultural psychological political and structural dimensions of digital media’s impact on modern societies. By analyzing communication patterns media consumption behaviors algorithmic influences and shifts in institutional roles the research provides a comprehensive understanding of how digital media restructures the foundations of social life and generates new forms of social organization belonging participation and inequality.