Over-the-top (OTT) platforms have significantly altered how audiences across the world consume media. With the growth of platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and various regional services, viewers now enjoy on-demand access to a wide variety of content tailored to their preferences. While these platforms promote creative freedom and convenience, they have also introduced serious concerns about the long-term effects of unregulated and excessive content consumption. The absence of stringent content guidelines has led to the proliferation of material that often includes violence, explicit language, and controversial themes, raising questions about the erosion of ethical and cultural norms in society. This paper explores the negative societal impacts of OTT platforms, focusing on key areas such as moral degradation, cultural insensitivity, behavioral addiction, reduced interpersonal interactions, and psychological distress. By analyzing data collected through surveys and interviews, the study identifies how binge-watching habits and continuous exposure to emotionally intense or culturally insensitive content can distort social values and affect mental health, particularly among youth and young adults. Furthermore, the research underlines how these platforms are reshaping language, disrupting academic performance, and weakening family bonds. Through a critical lens, the paper advocates for the implementation of content regulation policies, the promotion of media literacy, and active viewer responsibility. The goal is to strike a balance between creative expression and societal well-being, encouraging OTT platforms to become not just sources of entertainment but also tools for ethical, informed, and constructive communication.
Punam Kumari (Thu,) studied this question.
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