Mobilization by social networks is fast but it does have
certain limits. That is the main conclusion of an international study in which
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) scientists participated, published in
the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The study
analyzes the potential of social networks such as Twitter and Facebook to
coordinate people. In recent years there have been a number of examples of how
social networks have served to mobilize volunteers during natural disasters,
political campaigns, health emergencies, etc. But can we really depend on the
use of social networks to carry out these tasks? And if it is possible, what is
the risk that this strategy will fail?