Abstract
Social media is based on Web 2.0. It provides a platform for creating ideas for its users. Previously, the internet had limited usage; it was used for individual communication and public broadcasting. At the end of the decade of 1990s, the first social media platform (SMP) was created. Afterwards, numerous SMPs were developed. These SMPs allowed its users to create their profiles. Gradually, on SMPs, the users are not only able to create profiles but also allowed to share different kinds of demographic and personal information. Sharing private and demographic information on social media puts youth and teens at several risks. These risks are of several types, such as cyber-bullying, cyberstalking and identity theft. Penetration of information technology in village communities not only opens the gateways for drastic changes for village communities but also puts the village youth at several risks. The plight is that many of them are not even aware of these risks, which leads the youth and teens to several psychological and social maladjustments. Studying the internet and social media patterns in rural areas is crucial in such circumstances. Rural India is always disadvantaged regarding the use of technological devices and connectivity. All these affect the usage patterns and attract sociologists to study the privacy issues of individuals in rural India. Considering all these facts and circumstances, one pilot study has been conducted using quantitative and qualitative methods. Interesting findings have been revealed in the present study.
Keywords: Social-media, Village community, Online safety, Privacy, Youth