Social Media is the most important way of people receive information and express opinions to the world. Refugees Crisis as one of the most critical issues in the world, social media is hugely affecting the resolution of the refugee crisis.
One strong characteristic of social media is that it delivers the information short and quick. Comparing it with the old traditional type of media such as newspapers or magazines, the old traditional media have many limitations like time and price. Social media avoid these limitations. Firstly, it costs less. Secondly, it is live. However, due to social media is too “live”, the truth that be posted on internet must be questioned. Refugee crisis is strongly affected by social media because one single rumour would challenge many people’s heart. The attitudes towards refugees are shaped by the people who report the refugees’ news. Meanwhile, the refugees do not have the ability to go online, so the figure of the refugees “dehumanized” sometimes. The refugees are the minority in social media world though they actually are big number.
“Syrian refugees make use of technology to communicate with aid actors and with each other. They use sites like Google Maps to navigate politically and geographically complex routes to sanctuary. First-hand stories told in images and sound bites also help bring refugee experiences directly to the global community in a vivid way. That community can then use social media to share posts and links; volunteers and refugees can share firsthand content to makes appeals for aid and document abuses.”
-New Paths: How social media and technology change refugees' journey
Voice of Refugees
Each picture link to a report about how social media help refugees life