The Impact of Social Media on Social Mobilization
A special issue of Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 67
Special Issue Editor
Interests: social media and society; social mobilization and activism; disinformation and fact-checking; digital rights and ethics; youth and mobile use; attention economy
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In the last two decades, social media has played a crucial role in shaping social movements, activism, and political mobilization. From the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street to contemporary movements such as #MeToo, Black Lives Matter, and climate activism, digital platforms have facilitated the rapid spread of information, the organization of protests, and the articulation of collective demands. However, the relationship between social media and mobilization is complex and multifaceted. While digital networks have empowered marginalized groups and have provided new tools for civic engagement, they have also been criticized for fostering misinformation, slacktivism, and surveillance by governments and corporations.
The aim of this Special Issue is to explore the diverse impacts of social media on social mobilization from an interdisciplinary perspective. We invite scholars to examine how digital platforms influence collective action, political participation, and grassroots activism. We seek contributions that address both the opportunities and challenges posed by social media in mobilization processes. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, the role of algorithms in shaping activism, the effectiveness of online mobilization compared to traditional forms of protest, the digital divide and its impact on social movements, and the ways in which social media can be co-opted by authoritarian regimes.
By bringing together diverse methodological and theoretical approaches, we aim to offer a comprehensive understanding of the evolving relationship between social media and social mobilization. We welcome empirical case studies, theoretical reflections, and comparative analyses that contribute to this growing field of research.
Prof. Dr. Santiago Giraldo Luque
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Social Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- social media and activism
- online and offline mobilization
- algorithmic influence on social movements
- misinformation and protest
- slacktivism vs. real-world action
- surveillance and digital repression
- hashtag movements
- the digital divide in activism
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
