Social media and refugees

Social media has become an increasingly important tool for refugees to connect with their communities, share their stories, and access information and resources. As more and more refugees turn to social media to navigate their new lives, the impact of these platforms on the lives of refugees cannot be overstated, however, it is also important to be aware of the potential risks involved for refugees using social media as well.

Social Media and the refugee crisis

The refugee crisis has been one of the most pressing issues of our time. Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes due to conflicts, disasters, and persecution. We have also seen specific refugee crises in recent years: in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine to name a few. Social media has played a crucial role in raising awareness of the crises and mobilising support for refugees at critical moments.

Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have been used to share stories, photos, and videos of the refugee crisis. These platforms have helped to humanise the crisis, putting faces and stories to the statistics. Social media has also been used to mobilise support for refugees, with hashtags like #RefugeesWelcome and #WeWelcomeRefugees trending on Twitter and Facebook.

The role of social media in the daily lives of refugees

Social media has also become an important source of information for refugees. Many refugees use social media platforms to access information about their rights and legal status, as well as information about local services and resources. Social media can also provide refugees with information about the culture and customs of their new home, which can be invaluable as they adjust to their new surroundings. Some will also use social media to keep up to date with what is happening in their home countries and communities as well.

Challenges and risks of social media for refugees

While social media can provide many benefits for refugees, there are also challenges and risks associated with its use. One of the main challenges is access to technology and the internet. Many refugees may not have access to the technology or resources they need to use social media effectively. Some may not be able to charge their phones regularly, or access affordable phone contracts. If they live somewhere without wifi, they may also rely on their phone internet data for everything, which can run out quickly each month. Language barriers can also be a challenge, as many refugees may not be proficient in the language of the country they have fled to.

There are also many risks associated with the use of social media by a lot of refugees. Many refugees will be nervous to share their full names on social media, or any photos of themselves, for fear that it will get back to the country where have fled. Some refugee groups will be suspicious of spies using social media. For example, many are suspicious of TikTok because of recent reports of it’s possible links to the Chinese government.

Churches and social media 

In order to be truly welcoming communities for refugees, churches need to think these issues through in order to be safe communities for people seeking refuge in the UK. If churches live-stream their services, they should think through how they can protect people who attend their services. This is especially important when baptising someone from a refugee background if they are from a country where they would be persecuted for following Jesus. They should also think about how church members share photos of church events online, and how to keep everyone safe. It may be that faces are blurred out and names are avoided being used online.

Conclusion

Social media has become a crucial tool for refugees to connect with their communities, share their stories, and access information and resources. However, there are significant challenges for many refugees using social media platforms as well. These are important issues for us all to be aware of, especially for churches seeking to be safe, welcoming places for refugees.

If you don’t follow us on social media, you can find us @welcomechurches on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.