As far as the IRS is concerned there is no difference between being self-employed and being an independent contractor; that is why you will be paying self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare. You do not have an employer withholding it and paying the employer portion--so you pay all of it; you do not have an employer withholding federal tax--so you pay the tax when you file your yearly tax return or sometimes by making quarterly tax payments.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2893577-does-a-1099-misc-mean-i-m-self-employed
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2926899-how-does-my-side-job-affect-my-taxes
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed/help/what-is-the-self-employment-tax/00/25922
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2902389-why-am-i-paying-self-employment-tax
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901110-do-i-need-to-make-estimated-tax-payments-to-the-irs
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2903027-how-do-i-report-income-from-self-employment
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3398950-what-self-employed-expenses-can-i-deduct
It really stinks when you receive an 1099-Misc and you were not expecting to fill out a Schedule C for Self Employment, but that is exactly what an independent contractor is - self employed. And responsible for both side of FICA. Schedule C does allow you to deduct anything money you spent buying supplies, insurance or anything related to the work you were paid for.
There is a fine line between employee and independent contractor. If the employer tells you how to do the job and when then you are an employee. Check out the IRS for more information regarding employee vs independent contractor.
Best Wishes