Published Paper Details:

The advent of Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms has transformed the landscape of entertainment consumption, offering viewers unprecedented access to a myriad of content. Within this digital realm, Indian web series have gained substantial popularity, exploring diverse themes and narratives. This research delves into the psychological implications of content in Indian shows available on major OTT platforms which are extremely popular among all age groups including adolescents, with a specific focus on themes of violence, sexual content, tobacco depiction, drug abuse, and foul language. The main characters which become the role models for the youth consuming these shows influence the young minds in a very negative way. Through a meticulous content analysis, ten web series from each of the prominent OTT platforms, namely Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and Prime Video, were selected for examination. Drawing from established literature, the paper discusses the potential ramifications of exposure to violence, sexual content, tobacco depiction, drug abuse, and foul language on viewers, particularly adolescents and children, who are in their formative years and are highly susceptible to observational learning. The findings of this research offer valuable insights into the psychological dynamics of media consumption, emphasizing the importance of critical engagement and media literacy among viewers.