The Positive Power of Social Media for Young India
The Positive Power of Social Media for Young India
Imagine a teenager in Jaipur sharing a dance video on her phone and seeing it get thousands of views overnight. In India today, that kind of viral moment is common. Social media platforms have become launchpads for millions of young Indians. From small-town singers to aspiring painters, the digital world is breaking down old barriers. Even a random clip can change lives: consider Ranu Mondal, a former railway platform singer who “became a star overnight” after a video of her singing went viral online
Stories like these show how a single Instagram or YouTube moment can reveal hidden talent. With nearly 491 million YouTube users in India
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and 324 million Instagram users (40% of them ages 18–24)
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, the audience for creative content is enormous. Apps like Moj (a “Made‑in‑India” short‑video app) connect tens of millions of people in 15 local languages
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, giving anyone with a smartphone and a good idea a shot at fame. In this blog, we’ll explore how social media empowers India’s teens, artists and entertainers – enabling talent discovery, creative expression, brand building and even new careers.
Discovering Talent Anywhere, Anytime
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In the past, “discovery” often meant getting a lucky break in a city audition. Today, anyone can be discovered on social media. A kid filming a dance step on Reels or a teenager posting a song cover on YouTube can catch the world’s attention. Platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and Moj have made it easy to showcase skills. For example, the Moj app has become hugely popular for lip-sync, dance, comedy and other videos – it even allows creators to earn money based on likes and followers
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. This means a teenager in Pune or Patna can make a short video and find an audience of millions in minutes. One inspiring example is Ranu Mondal. She was a nobody singing at a West Bengal train station until a bystander’s video of her beautiful voice exploded on social media. Suddenly she was singing Bollywood duets and recording music with famous composers
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. Stories like Ranu’s show that raw talent can’t stay hidden when millions of phone‑toting Indians are watching. Social media also works as a virtual classroom: many new performers learn from each other. Dance groups start hashtag challenges that invite anyone to join, and aspiring singers post covers encouraging feedback. In India, YouTube has become practically a second home for creators – it’s now the world’s largest YouTube market with about 491 million users
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. When a country has that many eyes online, even niche talents (folk singers, classical dancers, cartoonists) can find fans. Importantly, the audience is youthful: nearly 4 in 10 Indian Instagram users are ages 18–24
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, so creators feel like they’re talking directly to their peers.
Turning Passion into a Personal Brand
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Once talent is noticed, it’s easy to turn it into a personal brand or business – all through social media. A great example is Prajakta Koli, known online as MostlySane. She started in her bedroom making funny YouTube videos. Today she has around 7 million YouTube subscribers and 5 million Instagram followers
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. Using that fanbase, Prajakta launched her own merchandise line (“Merch Garage”): T-shirts, hoodies, mugs and more inspired by her catchphrases
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. Famous YouTuber Bhuvan Bam did the same. His comedy channel BB Ki Vines gave him nationwide fame, so he and a friend started a merchandise brand Youthiyapa. As one write-up notes, “Bhuvan Bam’s brand exhibits how influencers can use their popularity and creativity to build profitable businesses”
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. In other words, social media stardom is literally paying off. It’s not just big names. Many Indian creators have quietly turned their pages into side hustles. Mumbiker Nikhil, a motorcycle vlogger, runs a store selling T-shirts, sweatshirts, phone covers and backpacks for his fans
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. Sejal Kumar, a fashion and lifestyle influencer, does the same with clothes and accessories
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. Even comedian Diksha “Dolly” Singh owns a home-clothing brand (joggers, crop tops, hoodies) that reflects her bubbly style
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. These entrepreneurs show that building a brand is no longer limited to celebrities. If you can grow a following on Instagram or YouTube, you can market products, get sponsorships, or even start a business – all from your phone. Social media also helps personal careers take off. Many platform stars have moved into mainstream entertainment. For instance, Dolly Singh has appeared in web series, and others get acting or presenting gigs thanks to their follower base. Brands notice popular creators, too: they often collaborate with influencers to reach young audiences. This cycle—fans → influence → business opportunities—was almost unheard of a decade ago. Now it’s a common path for Indian youth with big dreams.
Creative Expression & Positive Movements
Artists and creators use social media in countless creative ways. Digital art, music, dance, comedy – you name it, and there’s a community online for it. Young Indian painters share time-lapse videos of murals on Instagram. Filmmakers post short films on YouTube. Dancers riff on Bollywood routines in viral Reels. Even traditional arts are finding a new stage: for example, Indian folk performers or kathak dancers reach global audiences by posting performances online. Importantly, this creative culture often comes with a positive message. Many influencers use humor or art to inspire their followers. As a Times of India feature points out, “many [influencers] use their platforms to promote positive messages, such as body positivity, mental health awareness, and social justice”
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. Take Prajakta Koli again – beyond comedy, she launched the #iPledgeToBeMe campaign against body shaming and now speaks on climate change. In 2022 she was even named the UNDP India’s first Youth Climate Champion and NDTV’s Climate Influencer of the Year
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. That means an Indian YouTuber turned her fan following into a force for good on big issues. Social media also lets youngsters support each other. Online challenges can raise money for disaster relief or spread helpful information (for example, during the COVID-19 pandemic many Indians shared tips, lessons, and support groups via Instagram and Twitter). Fans form communities around wellness, books, or learning new skills. In short, digital platforms have become vibrant culture hubs. Teens in Mumbai can chat about the same new song on YouTube as students in rural Assam, making India’s big culture feel small and connected.
Conclusion: A Future of Bright Possibilities
Social media in India is often thought of as a place for memes and gossip – but for today’s youth it’s so much more. With hundreds of millions of Indians on Instagram and YouTube
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, anyone’s voice can be heard. A talented teen can go from obscurity to fame, a creative soul can turn art into income, and a passionate young person can rally others around a cause. As we’ve seen, platforms like Moj, Instagram, and YouTube aren’t just apps – they’re windows to opportunity. For India’s next generation, “going viral” can mean something good: sharing a message, launching a dream, or discovering a hidden skill. The world of likes and shares is becoming a world of possibility. By leveraging social media positively, Indian teens are not only watching trends – they’re making them. The sky’s the limit when your audience is the entire internet.