"Mafias in the Digital Age: A Virtual Realm of Communication and Influence"

 In a reflection of adapting to contemporary times, the mafias have found their space in the digital era, utilizing various social platforms to communicate both amongst themselves and with the public.

Historical mafia figures like Totò Riina, Bernardo Provenzano, or Nitto Santapaola, instead of being condemned for their crimes, become idols in this digital space.

Communication Strategies in the Digital Era:
A comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from Wikipedia and major social platforms (Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok), has unveiled trends in the participation and intervention of mafiosi, affiliates, and sympathizers in the digital sphere.

Promoting the Mafia Brand:
Privacy-respecting research shows that social networks expose mafia communication processes. "Fans" actively promote the "mafia brand" through an aesthetic of power that glorifies luxury, honor, and the organization's success. Emoticons, posts, shared content, hashtags, memes, and songs construct a slang that surfaces on social platforms, becoming complementary elements reinforcing the interpretation of the mafia message.

Mafia in the Digital Era Report:
The Foundation Magna Grecia scrutinized over 90 GB of TikTok videos, two and a half million tweets, 20,000 YouTube video comments, and hundreds of Facebook and Instagram profiles and pages. The resulting report, "Mafias in the Digital Era," addresses the evolving nature of mafia communication in the age of the virtual world infiltrating our real lives.

New Mafia Languages on Social Media:

The report outlines the new languages of organized crime on social platforms, from trap music to neomelodic, from extra-luxury cars to kitschy jewelry, from dedications to those in prison to the glorification of past crime bosses. These findings underscore the mafia's ability to reinvent itself continually based on present needs and progress as the digital realm blurs the lines between reality and virtuality.

TikTok's Disturbing Popularity:
TikTok emerges as the primary platform for mafia displays, a particularly concerning trend considering its popularity among teenagers. The younger generation, lacking direct experience of the mafia's brutality, witnesses these criminal organizations flaunting their power, challenging the state, and threatening enemies through posts, photos, live streams, and soundtracks of neomelodic or trap music.

Case of Domenico Amitrano:
Domenico Amitrano, associated with clans De Luca Bossa and Minichini, gained notoriety through unrestricted content sharing. His Facebook profile, boasting nearly 600 friends, openly aligns with the dominant clan, showcasing the public declaration of alliance.

Instagram's Role in Displaying Luxury:
Instagram becomes the platform for flaunting a luxurious lifestyle, polished with filters, during holidays, parties, and public moments that only a few can afford.

Emoji Usage in Mafia Social Media:
Emojis hold precise meanings based on context. Chains convey messages to prisoners or signify the bond of love for a waiting companion. The lion, symbolizing power, communicates strength, courage, and honor. A hearty laugh is used to ridicule opponents or mock opposing clan conflicts.

Mafia Posts from House Arrest:
Two men under house arrest proudly display their electronic bracelets. The sequence "honor and fidelity for a friend in freedom todo pasa" implies an acceptance of the restriction as an act of deference to the clan boss. The symbol of strength gains a dual meaning: the strength of affiliation bonds and the ability to withstand house arrest.

Using Social Media Against the Mafia:
In contrast, there are fan pages of politicians or journalists addressing the topic to inform about events related to the mafia, influencing public opinion. Francesco Emilio Borrelli, a journalist and now a deputy for the Green Alliance, uses his platform to share news about Campania and social denunciations against Neapolitan organized crime.

The report concludes by highlighting the constant evolution of mafia communication strategies, which adapt to technological advancements, pushing the boundaries between the real and the virtual.