Social media effective to connect with asylum seekers, People for Change Foundation says

A new report published this week by the People for Change Foundation highlighted the potential of social media as a means of outreach and engagement with refugee communities.

The report provides insight into different refugees’ use of social media when it comes to communication, information-seeking, and content sharing and creation.

Director of the People for Change Foundation Christine Cassar described the use of such research. “We were keen to explore how different groups of refugees use social media, as well as how NGOs, government and others can best engage with refugee communities in Malta to raise awareness on rights and promote integration,” she said. “The research confirms that social media holds excellent potential in this regard. It is a cost effective way to engage, and one that has significant reach.”

From a survey of 169 refugees living in Malta, the research found that the use of social media amongst refugees is widespread although with differences along lines of age, gender and level of education.

According to the report, Facebook is by far the most popular social media platform while the use of other platforms tends to be limited to specific audiences.

Participants said they used social media mainly to connect with family and friends and to seek entertainment. However, the foundation added that a large majority expressed an interest in receiving more information on refugee rights and regulations via these channels.

The report also found noticeable demographic differences between refugees who use social media to receive information and those who pioneer content creation and group management.