By Jesús C. Aguerri, Fernando Miró-Llinares, Sara Sampayo

This article addresses the impact of social networks on the propagation of disinformation surrounding immigrants and their connection to crime in Spain, emphasizing whether the new media context has altered the classic processes of moral panic formation. To this end, we consulted the database of hoaxes constructed by Maldita, the Fact-Checking Agency, and conducted a dual analysis. The first analysis was a time series analysis, and the second was a content analysis of the hoaxes. The findings suggest that the contemporary digital disinformation phenomenon manifests in irregular 'waves', which do not directly correspond to external media events. Furthermore, while the topic of crime remains a central element in the construction of moral panics, the current climate of polarization in the new media environment appears to see a shift in focus towards the dissemination of false information, attributing statements to both political and media agents regarding their stance on migration, rather than on the connection between migration and crime itself. This paper discusses the extent of these changes as well as the aspects that remain unmodified.

By Mª Carmen Segura Cuenca, Nieves Erades Pérez

This study analyses the influence of social media as an information source on the perception of public insecurity, a phenomenon of growing relevance in the global context. Using data from the Seventh Wave of the World Values Survey (2017–2022), covering 66 countries, we assess the relationship between access to different information media and the perception of insecurity, while also considering sociodemographic and geographical factors. The methodology combined descriptive analyses, Chi-square tests, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, a multilevel ordinal logistic regression model, and a decision tree model to identify key patterns. The results show that citizens who predominantly rely on social media for information tend to perceive higher levels of insecurity, with significant differences observed across regions and sociodemographic groups. Additionally, the analysis revealed non-linear associations between media consumption frequency and perceived insecurity, particularly with social media and traditional media such as newspapers and radio. These findings underscore the need for public policies aimed at regulating the quality of information on social media, in order to mitigate the spread of misinformation and its effects on security perceptions and social cohesion.

By Ysa Marie Cayabyab

AI-generated sexual content and platform-driven amplification are intensifying online exploitation, disproportionately harming women and children across Southeast Asia. Existing moderation approaches remain largely reactive, leaving systemic risks unresolved. Stronger governance frameworks, platform accountability, and safety-by-design measures can help prevent harm. Through regional cooperation, ASEAN is well-positioned to strengthen coordinated safeguards, protect vulnerable users, and establish shared standards for the responsible and ethical use of AI across the region.