Unveiling Network Data Patterns in Social Media

The present study focuses on the usefulness of social network analysis in unveiling network patterns in social media. Specifically, the propagation and consumption of information on Twitter through network analysis tools are investigated to discover the presence of specific conversational patterns in the derived online data. The choosing of Twitter is motivated by the fact that it induces the definition of relationships between users by following communication flows on specific topics of interest and identifying key profiles who influence debates in the digital space. Further lines of research are discussed regarding the tools for discovering the spread of fake news. Considerable disinformation can be generated on social networks, offering a complex picture of informational disorientation in the digital society.