The role of social media in government communication and citizen participation for sustainable governance

Introduction: Social networks have expanded the government's communicative practice, although their impact on both participation and the implementation of sustainable development is only manifested in the presence of institutional variables in addition to the simple presence on the network. Objectives: To analyze the role of social networks in government communication and the involvement of citizens in it, trying to highlight their contributions and limitations in the framework of sustainable governance. Methodology: 41 references covering both academic and institutional literature were reviewed. A synthesis of institutional communication, transparency, participation, digital inclusion and sustainability was made. Results: The literature analyzed distinguishes up to three types of practice in network-mediated communication -dissemination, interaction and participation-, also establishing that: the quality of information. The literature covering environmental communication, the circulation of the circular economy and the 2030 Agenda shows possibilities of mobilization in the line of sustainability, although it does not advance towards it. Conclusion: Social networks can sustain good governance and SDG 16 if they are articulated with verifiable public processes.