Social Media: You are what you post

Social media has dramatically changed the way we communicate both in our interpersonal relationships and in the public sphere, changing how citizens obtain information, participate in debates, and engage in public decision-making and electoral processes.

Today, people engage in more conversations about public affairs on digital platforms and have more immediate access to information. Politicians and public servants can also maintain close contact with citizens through publications, live broadcasts, or digital communication exchanges in which they share proposals, answer questions, and even obtain opinions from citizens directly.

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There are also other effects of this new form of communication, such as fake news and misinformation , as well as the rapid viralization of unverifiable content. Another problem that has taken on significant dimensions is the use of algorithms that reinforce opinions and beliefs and reduce the natural plurality of society, generating polarization and social fragmentation, which also affects democratic stability.

According to the results of the 2020 National Civic Culture Survey ( ENCUCI ) by the INE and Inegi , only 41.8 percent of young people aged 15 to 17 and 42.6 percent of young people aged 18 and 19 are interested in the country's affairs; this percentage increases in older age groups: 58.5 percent among citizens aged 30 to 59 and 63.3 percent among those aged 60 and over (INE-INEGI, 2020).

In addition to people interested in public affairs, 73 percent get their information on issues from television and, in second place, through social networks ( Facebook , X - formerly Twitter - or YouTube), with young people aged 15 to 29 being the ones who most use these digital media to obtain information.

These data demonstrate the need to educate ourselves in the digital realm and to educate citizens who are aware of the use of social media in order to make the most of these tools, while being aware of the risks involved in their improper use .

For this reason, representatives from various institutions recently took on the task of contributing to this goal through a discussion with young people from various high school and university educational centers. More than 500 students listened to and participated in a debate about the risks and ways we can safely manage social media.

During the discussion, it was pointed out that social media isn't private, it's not reliable, it's not secure, and it's not free . The hidden cost we pay for it is our privacy, through the use of personal data, activities such as our location, the information of family and friends, and even information about our assets or belongings.

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This poses risks to security, our reputation, and our integrity, especially in highly polarized societies due to the biases generated by the platforms themselves, which often escalate into hate speech . However, there are also collective risks, such as the distortion of information that influences the decisions we make regarding public affairs.

Given this reality, responsible use of these tools is essential , through simple actions such as verifying information on the official websites of public institutions before sharing or distributing it; avoiding using these media to attack, discriminate, or make insensitive comments about sensitive situations under the shadow of anonymity; and sharing appropriate content that showcases your skills, achievements, passions, projects, causes, and special moments.

In short, let's learn to share and publish what we love and what can be useful to others, to build a better society, because what we share is a reflection of who we are.