Mexico is not an exception to the worldwide phenomena that
is social media. Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have
grown to be significant instruments for activism, entertainment, and communication
in Mexico, where there are over 89 million internet users and 87 million active
social media users.
In the late 2000s, social media sites like Facebook and
Twitter started to become more popular in Mexico. With over 88 million members
as of 2021, Facebook in particular rose swiftly to become the most widely used
social media network in Mexico. With more than 19 million members, Twitter is
also quite popular in Mexico. Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn are some of the
more widely used social networking sites in Mexico.
The growing usage of mobile devices to access social media
platforms is one of the most prominent developments in social media in Mexico.
Over 95% of social media consumers in Mexico access social media using mobile
devices, according to a 2020 research by Hootsuite. Due of this, mobile-only
social media sites like TikTok and Snapchat—which are especially well-liked
among younger users—have grown in popularity.
The expansion of influencer marketing on social media in
Mexico is another trend. Mexican social media influencers, also known as
"influencers," have grown significantly in importance in the
marketing industry, with brands and businesses collaborating with influencers
to sell their goods and services on social media. Mexican influencers are
particularly powerful among younger customers and frequently have sizable fan
bases on social media sites like Instagram and YouTube.
Particularly in the areas of activism and politics, social
media has had a big influence on Mexican society. Twitter and Facebook have
both been used to plan protests and rallies, especially in reaction to problems
like injustice, violence, and corruption. To protest the disappearance of 43
students in the state of Guerrero in 2014, the hashtag #YaMeCansé ("I'm
tired") was extensively used on social media. This helped draw attention
to the matter on a national and international level.
In Mexico, social media has also influenced political
results and shaped public opinion. Political candidates utilized social media
sites like Facebook and Twitter extensively in the 2018 presidential election
to reach voters and advance their campaigns. Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the
ultimate victor, was well recognized for his shrewd use of social media,
especially on Facebook, where he had amassed over 6 million followers.
However, social media in Mexico has also come under fire for
its part in the propagation of propaganda and false information. On social
media platforms, fake news and conspiracy theories are becoming more prevalent,
especially in light of the COVID-19 epidemic. As a result, social media firms
have implemented new procedures to delete incorrect material and partnered with
fact-checking organizations to counteract the spread of disinformation.
Social media now plays a significant role in Mexican culture
by serving as a forum for action, entertainment, and communication. Social
media has benefited Mexican society in many ways, but it has also come under
fire for its role in the propagation of false information and propaganda. To
guarantee that social media platforms are utilized responsibly and ethically as
they develop, it will be crucial for Mexican users, governments, and social
media corporations to collaborate.