The Specifics

• ACCO researchers have logged thousands of instances of gangs and drug cartels using social media to create positive online narratives about their activities. In Mexico this phenomenon is known as “Narcocultura.”

• Narcocultura is the process by which people involved in the drug trade achieve social legitimacy and acceptance in society. Social media has become a key component of this strategy. It’s a narrative that extols the rewards of the narco life—the mansions, fancy cars, beautiful women and exotic animals—while projecting power and also highlighting the philanthropic deeds of cartels in societies where poverty is often widespread.

• Social media profiles featuring a lifestyle full of luxury cars and jewelry, drugs, and beautiful women often resonate with young, poor people, luring them to gangster culture.

• U.S. authorities say social media played a key role in a spate of recent violence and murders carried out by gangs like Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), the Crips, and the Bloods.

• Social media platforms provide critical encrypted communication tools used by gang members and drug cartels to speak privately to one another and to issue threats to rivals, government officials and journalists.