Final answer:
The rise of social media affects contemporary women's self-evaluations by providing agency through influencer culture but also by perpetuating narrow portrayals of women's lives and causing negative social experiences, such as digital breakups. Social media's tendency to focus on participation over engagement can lead to a superficial relationship with self-image. The overall perception of social media's impact on society remains largely negative, which extends to how women view themselves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rise of social media has a complex impact on contemporary women's self-evaluations. On one hand, social media platforms with the presence of influencer culture provide a space for women to exert more control over their portrayal, potentially allowing for a greater expression of agency. However, these platforms can also perpetuate a 'princess culture' and facilitate negative interactions, such as breakups via text or changes in relationship status without communication. Moreover, the pervasiveness of social media influences can lead to pressures for a narrow and unrealistic portrayal of women's lives and appearances, which can have detrimental effects on self-image and expectations.
Concerns are also raised about the possible disengagement social media could cause, considering Malcolm Gladwell's argument that social media increases participation rather than genuine engagement. Furthermore, there are discussions about the role of digital media in socio-political movements and whether it truly empowers individuals or overestimates its influence. Lastly, a 2020 survey reported that 64 percent of adults believe social media has a mostly negative effect on American society, which hints at larger ramifications for women's self-perceptions and overall societal views.