Crossing the Digital Divide: Applying Technology to the Global Refugee Crisis

Abstract

Limited Print and Electronic Distribution RightsThis document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited. Permission is given to duplicate this document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.

Role of Digital Skills in Refugee Integration

“…Digital skills affect all the other domains at this level. In language & communication, refugees benefit from online language learning tools, translation apps, and the capability to communicate digitally (Culbertson et al, 2019;Patil, 2019;Maitland, 2020;Taftaf & Williams, 2020;Türkay, 2020). In the culture domain, refugees use online communities, online content in their native language, and digital storytelling to develop and maintain connections to their native and host cultures (Orrnert, 2020;Patil, 2019).…”

“…In the culture domain, refugees use online communities, online content in their native language, and digital storytelling to develop and maintain connections to their native and host cultures (Orrnert, 2020;Patil, 2019). Some use technology to access religious content and faith-based assistance (Culbertson et al, 2019).…”

“…Culture is preserved and evolves through memory and identity, and refugees use technology for this purpose. Examples include storing images on smartphones or using social media to help establish a new, bicultural identity (Culbertson et al, 2019). Refugees, especially youth, have used digital media production, such as digital storytelling, to express their identity and assert ownership of their narratives (Alencar, 2020;Maitland, 2020;Michalovich, 2021;Pottie et al, 2020;Türkay, 2020).…”

“…Refugees, especially youth, have used digital media production, such as digital storytelling, to express their identity and assert ownership of their narratives (Alencar, 2020;Maitland, 2020;Michalovich, 2021;Pottie et al, 2020;Türkay, 2020). In the domain of safety, mobile phones can be a crucial lifeline for accessing needed resources; on the other hand, concerns have been raised about refugees' cybersecurity and personal safety connected to technology use, as well as misinformation and disinformation disseminated digitally (Alencar, 2018;Bouffet, 2020;Culbertson et al, 2019;Eskola et al, 2020;Maitland, 2020;Patil, 2019). The final facilitator is stability, which refers to predictability in one's work, education, living circumstances, and access to services.…”

“…Social bonds are connections with others with a shared sense of identity, such as family and close friends; they are a source of social support. Refugees use mobile phones and social media to maintain and develop transnational social bonds for emotional and psychological support (Alencar, 2020;Culbertson et al, 2019;Orrnert, 2020;Patil, 2019;Pottie et al, 2020). However, these relationships also require emotional labor due to traumatizing stories or unrealistic expectations from family members remaining in the country of origin (Alencar, 2020).…”