In the age of technology, the distance between people has shrunk, but the emotional distance often remains. However, in the year 2021, the social media landscape of Manipur witnessed a heartwarming phenomenon. What is usually a platform for entertainment and news—Facebook—transformed into a bridge of hope, giving rise to numerous viral stories known as (Stories of finding a sister/daughter via Facebook).
Abstract This paper examines the dynamics of local social-media disputes on Facebook during 2021 through the illustrative case of “Eteima Thu Naba / Nabagi Wari.” It explores how platform affordances, information flows, community norms, and moderation practices shaped the conflict’s trajectory, the effects on participants, and lessons for policymakers, platforms, and community leaders.
In 2021, affordable Jio phones and low-cost data plans allowed people in remote villages of Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland to access Facebook for the first time on a large scale.