GS3 · 10 marks · 150 words

"Social media has emerged as a new frontier in modern warfare, shaping narratives, influencing perceptions, and impacting national security". In this context, analyse the role of social media in contemporary conflicts.

Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Media and Social Networks Cyber Security Terrorism

Syllabus: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.

How toppers approached it

From all 4 answers · about 160 words · 25% drew a diagram.

Opening

A date or context2 of 4
No separate opening2 of 4

Body

Points4 of 4

A way forward3 of 4
A summary1 of 4

The toppers’ answers

Pakshal SecretryAIR 8 · CSE 2025 · 138 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a recent event

Recent Operation Sindoour saw narrative and informational warfare by Pakistan on social media against India.

Role of Social Media

Body · points

Narrative Building → in eyes of people
Reducing Misinformation eg fact check by PIB FCU.
Information delivery eg constant briefing by ANI.
use for Surveillance eg Tracking of Terrorist.
Informational warfare against adversary.

Challenges due to SM

Cyber security with eg Attack on critical infrastructure
Sensationalisation of National security eg war-hysteria on social media
Difficulty in tracking and deletion of disinformation
Reveling of Sensitive information eg SM users sharing army movement details
Post truth Society → narrative matter more than facts
Might create echo chamber for users against India

Way forward

Light but Tight Regulation
Proactive countering of fake news
Code of Ethics for SM

Close · a way forward

None written.

More on Media and Social Networks

Communication networks and social media as an internal-security problem: misinformation, encryption, platform regulation.

All GS3 questions on Media and Social Networks