Social Media and Digital Culture
Coordinators:
Dr. Carlos Barros Bastidas – Universidad de Guayaquil, Ecuador
Dr. María Paula Gago – Universidad de Buenos Aires - CONICET, Argentina
Social media has profoundly transformed the way people communicate, access information, and create content. From the viralization of trends to the construction of digital identities, these platforms have become key spaces for social interaction, the digital economy, and the generation of political and cultural discourse. They have not only redefined the dynamics of interpersonal communication but have also driven new business models, enabled unprecedented citizen participation phenomena, and raised challenges related to privacy, regulation, and information authenticity.
The rise of platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook has facilitated content creation and dissemination at an unprecedented speed, allowing individuals, brands, and institutions to build virtual communities and establish new forms of engagement. In this context, influencers have played a central role in shaping trends and influencing consumption patterns, while recommendation algorithms have significantly impacted information access and content visibility. Additionally, the emergence of artificial intelligence and automation in social media management raises questions about content production, user experience personalization, and the risks associated with digital manipulation.
From a political and social perspective, social media has proven to be a powerful tool for both activism and social mobilization, as well as disinformation and polarization. In recent years, we have witnessed how social movements have found in these digital spaces a platform to amplify their messages, denounce injustices, and drive change. However, concerns have also arisen regarding the spread of fake news, public opinion manipulation through bots, and the increasing fragmentation of discourse into ideological echo chambers.
In the educational field, social media has opened new possibilities for learning, scientific dissemination, and the development of academic communities. Educators and researchers have begun to explore their potential as pedagogical tools, using digital platforms to promote critical thinking, collaboration, and media literacy. However, these technologies also pose challenges in terms of distraction, information quality, and new digital divides.
This special issue invites researchers to reflect on the contemporary dynamics of social media and its impact on various fields, including education, advertising, activism, political participation, and social representation. We seek to gather theoretical and empirical studies that analyze the role of these platforms in shaping digital culture, exploring how they influence everyday practices, the construction of subjectivities, and the evolution of creative and media industries.
Through this special issue, we aim to create an interdisciplinary dialogue that will allow for a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by social media in the digital era. We invite submissions that address this phenomenon from various methodological and theoretical perspectives, with the objective of contributing new knowledge on the influence of these platforms in contemporary society.
Topics of Interest:
- Communication strategies on social media: From digital advertising to personal and corporate branding.
- New digital narratives: Storytelling on social media and identity construction on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X.
- Politics and social media: The impact of digital participation in electoral campaigns and social movements.
- Disinformation and fake news: Dissemination mechanisms, impact on public opinion, and verification strategies.
- Artificial intelligence and automation: AI applications in social media management and content generation.
- Digital economy and social media: Influencers, monetization models, and new labor dynamics.
- Censorship and freedom of expression: Content moderation and tensions between regulation and digital rights.
- Sociocultural impact of social media: Transformations in consumer habits and interpersonal relationships.
- Gamification and digital entertainment: Streaming platforms, eSports, and new forms of digital leisure.
- Education and social media: Pedagogical uses and the development of digital competencies in the era of connectivity.
Keywords:
- Social media
- Digital culture
- Influencers and digital economy
- Disinformation and politics
- Artificial intelligence and automation
- Participation and digital activism
Submission deadline: 01/05/2025
