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 66
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
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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
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