Mexican youth are living in an era when social media is the primary news source for people around the world. That presents a unique challenge, being navigating life online that is packed with false information. While it’s certainly true that there is value and opportunity that comes from social media, it’s also true that these platforms are rife with conspiracy theories, false narratives, and politically charged misleading information. The result is a potentially dangerous and damaging shaping of public opinions and behaviors.
Because young people are especially active on social media, they are much more vulnerable to the dangers of misinformation in Mexico. TikTok is particularly popular among the youth of Mexico and often serves to amplify the effects of shared content, regardless of its accuracy, resulting in fake news going viral. It’s important to understand the mechanisms that drive this as a means to creating effective interventions that protect individuals by cultivating informed
residents.
TikTok is the preferred social media platform for Gen Z users in Mexico. It includes short videos, and visually engaging content that appeals to Mexican youth. Recent estimates indicate that more than 60 percent of Mexicans between the ages of 13 and 24 who use the internet are active on TikTok. That makes it one of the primary sources of entertainment and news for this population. While it certainly has its positives, it can also be implicated in the spread of misinformation Mexico deals with every day.
Because the algorithm that TikTok uses places the focus on engagement, sensational content is promoted, regardless of its validity or accuracy. Content creators prioritize getting views and want to capture attention, which means they often post videos that have been unverified and contribute to the cycle that proliferates the spread of fake news.
The platform uses a “for you” tool that is tailored to the user's behavior and interactions, which means they are seeing similar content, which may also be fake. TikTok is mainly user generated, so anyone can create and post content, leading to a further spread of misinformation in Mexico.
TikTok also has features called, “stitch” and “duet,” which lets viewers respond to videos and leading to the further amplification of misinformation being spread around, with debates and reactions contributing to the issue. Misleading videos, such as those that contain health information, global crises, and election details end up with millions of viewers, among them young people who may not be equipped to identify and refute false information.
There are many kinds of misinformation Mexico sees on TikTok. It features a wide range of topics that capture youth audiences. Finding the themes and identifying issues is a powerful tool for combating misinformation in Mexico.
Health myths are quite pervasive on TikTok, especially on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, false information about vaccines, the origin of the illness, and treatments made the rounds, much of which was not true. Encouragement to try home remedies or herbal supplements rather than seeking medical care is one example. Recently, myths pertaining to mental health have begun to spread, which discourage young residents
of Mexico from seeking appropriate care.
TikTok is full of content that spreads conspiracy theories and is effective because young viewers are often skeptical of mainstream narratives. Theories about foreign influences changing certain aspects of Mexican politics or about entities controlling mass media are examples. Conspiracy theories rely on vague terminology that exacerbates mistrust and targets viewers who enjoy questioning authority. Conspiracy theories often go viral on TikTok, spreading misunderstanding and cultivating dangerous attitudes and actions.
During the 2022 midterm elections, a number of viral videos circulated claiming that ballots had been tampered with, using fake footage to display the alleged fraud. While the videos were quickly discredited, the result was an increase in public debate and decreased trust in the voting process, particularly among younger voters.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, videos went around that used fake footage to show viewers that placebos were being given, not real vaccines, to specific populations. The result was fewer people willing to get a vaccine and skepticism of medical personnel, reducing the effectiveness of Mexico’s health efforts.
Digital literacy programs are of the utmost importance when it comes to combating misinformation in Mexico. Such programs educate young viewers about the risks of fake news and how to identify and refute it. It teaches them to find reputable online resources, often using an advanced search, to find credible sources for news.
The Mexican Ministry of Education (SEP) has worked to add digital literacy to its curriculum, using specially created modules that focus on analyzing media, specific aspects of internet usage, and critical thinking skills. The programs educate youth in Mexico about the risk of misinformation and teaches them to fact check and verify news.
The organization Verificado conducts workshops that are geared toward Mexican youth in schools across the country. The program promotes digital literacy by using real world TikTok examples to teach young people how to determine if content is fake news or not.
Other NGOs are launching digital literacy boot camps that teach youth to analyze fake viral content, figure out the tactics used, and learn useful fact checking skills. The result is a dramatic impact on low-income populations where youth have limited access to information relating to digital literacy.
Because misinformation in Mexico often spreads very quickly, real time monitoring has become an imperative step to refuting fake news. One solution for misinformation monitoring and detection is Osavul, which is tailored for many countries, Mexico included and works to deal with misinformation where it impacts vulnerable communities.
The benefits of Osavul include the following:
Osavul monitors content in real time, which means it can detect misinformation trends before they gain traction. This allows educators, NGOs, policymakers and others to address fake news at the beginning before it causes widespread damage.
Another benefit of the platform is that it can inform specific campaigns and programs that promote digital literacy. This allows for flagging common types of misinformation and its themes, giving organizations the opportunity to create interventions that address the unique needs and behaviors of youth in Mexico.
Osavul also promotes a partnership between local entities, which results in a further reach and effectiveness of efforts to mitigate misinformation. Working with NGOs, schools, and the local government, Osavul maximizes the impact of initiatives launched by each group.
In the Global South, the relevance of Osavul is critical. Mexico sees limited digital
literacy, economic disparities, and plenty of cultural diversity, which makes it difficult to combat misinformation. Using a tool like Osavul allows Mexico to address socialissues, which are often worsened with the spread of fake news, as a way to create an environment filled with informed citizens and a resilient society.
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The digital landscape is going to continue to evolve, in Mexico and around the world. That means that the spread of misinformation among youth isn’t going to stop, especially with a platform like TikTok contributing to the problem as it plays a central role in the lives of young citizens in Mexico. A robust digital literacy program creates the opportunity to empower young people to engage with content responsibly so they are less susceptible to the dangers and risk of misinformation.
Osavul is a solution that combats misinformation in Mexico (and around the world), on a much larger scale, which makes it easier to monitor and create collaborations with local organizations in the community. When governments, NGOs and private entities work together, they create the necessary environment for protecting young people and contributing to a well-informed generation.
Mexico sets an example in combating fake news by demonstrating how powerful a
community that comes together by using education and technology can be in safeguarding the future of the country and its youth, as well as preserving the truth.
