Social networks
According to a 2018 study by the Cámara Nicaragüense de Internet y Telecomunicaciones (Nicaraguan Internet Chamber and Telecommunications - CANITEL), 80 percent of the population of 7 million, uses the Internet to consult social networks, with Facebook being the most used application followed by WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube and Messenger. Social networks are used mainly by young people (who constitute 50 percent of the population, at more than 3 and a half million approximately).
The use of social networks started increasing in 2010 and is still growing. Access to the Internet is done mainly through mobile phone top-up costing approximately C$55 (US$1.75) for a three-day consumption plan. Media and political leaders seek to increase their following by creating social media pages, where they try to interact with the public. The political sector makes the most use of these networks to spread accusations or propaganda to discredit opponents, and the task of restoring the truth is left to users and professional media operators. According to another study of the Grupo Interdisciplinario de Expertos Independientes (Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts - GIEI), which investigated the riots of May 2018 in Nicaragua, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube were most used by activists to report, ask for help and announce new mobilisations.