According to the Government’s latest migration statistics, up until June 2018 over 68.5 million people around the world have had to flee their homes (Refugee Council, 2018). Violence, war and unrest cause this forced displacement of thousands of people from various countries such as Eritrea, Iraq and Sudan to name a few. Refugees are documented whilst asylum seekers are not yet recognized but both are searching for a better life in Europe and are fleeing persecution. Smartphones are a double-edged sword for people in these situations. In some cases, they are the tool that helps them reach their goal whilst in other cases it is the reason for their failure.
The series 'Exodus Our Journey to Europe' gives a brief overview and appropriate starting point of some of the issues and benefits these vulnerable people face when it comes to using a smartphone. The device is used on the journey, during the resettlement period and used to challenge dominant representations of migrants.
Looking back through photos on our phones not only reminds us of many of the things we have experienced but also can act as a documentation of our life. For refugees and asylum seekers they can take images of the places they visit on their journey. This not only serves as a memory jogging photo journal of their travels but also records places that no-one else can go. The photos can be used as an archive that documents the digital passage to Europe. It is thought that photos of family members “act as a form of strength” (Macnab et al., 1997, pg.73) which can carry the refugees though their tough journey to Europe. Additionally, photographs can also be used for proof of the violence and harassment the vulnerable people witness on their journey. Even though you would expect exposure of these issues could cause a need for change, most Governments are in denial of the action needed. Like Linfield explained “seeing does not necessarily translate into believing, caring, or acting” (Linfield, 2010, pg.33). On the other hand, some Government see these images and insist change to benefit the migrants.
As well as the benefits that the smartphones and photography bring to the refugees and society as a whole, their stored photos can be used in a negative way. The archive of photos and texts can be used to make these vulnerable people susceptible to “unwanted state surveillance” (Gillespie et al., 2016, pg.9) and be tracked down due to their digital traces.
Smartphones also enable the access of relevant and up to date news and a range of information resources. Migrants often reach news sources through their social media. The issue is that it’s believed that European Governments are purposely failing to provide the news that refugees need as they are worried that giving too much information could be seen as facilitating attempts to seek asylum in Europe (Gillespie et al., 2016, pg.5). This is driving refugees to rely on untrustworthy sources. Often it is the smugglers who circulate the false information that refugees are forced to depend on. The fabricated information could potentially increase the dangers that the refugees and asylum seekers face and promote aggravation of the issues or criminalize them. False information could cause their capture by gatekeepers whilst on the other hand accurate information could help refugees successfully avoid gatekeepers and go under the radar. The humanitarian crisis is worsening through the information deficit and lives are put at risk. The Washington Post explains how Facebook is used to gather “tips, maps and contacts” (Cunningham, 2015 pg.A12) and is a way of recruiting travel companions who are connected to smugglers to help them reach their destination.
Additionally, the use of the map app on their telephone allows refugees to track the route of their journey to pass onto other family members behind them and see the fastest and most efficient path to take going forward. According to Brunwasser (2015), smartphones automatically record your route, so you can send precise GPS coordinations of every stop to friends of family about to try and take the same route. In 2018 so far 1,549 people have died during their desperate attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea (Refugee Council, 2018). This statistic underlines the risk many are willing to take to reunite with family and reach European land and the importance of reliable help and support from their devices to reach their destination safely.
For many refugees and asylum seekers language can be a huge barrier in achieving their dream to reach Europe. Smartphones can facilitate the communication between several different languages through translation apps such as Google Translate or Microsoft Translator. Communicating at borders, with smugglers and between foreign refugees could be the key to success but could also be of great assistance in receiving medical help, food, support networks or shelter when needed. Not only do these translation tools help migrants on their journey but also in the resettlement period. During this stage they will need huge support navigating their way through European life. Finding housing, healthcare, schooling and information about support systems would be virtually impossible without accurate and understandable communication. Headlines regularly read along the lines of “NHS ‘failing those who don’t speak English” (Wright, 2010) and according to Caroline Wright, a leading doctor, “The language barriers…… are just the tip of the iceberg” (Wright, 2010). Moreover, refugees and asylum seekers have the opportunity to make friends with locals if communication is accurate and comprehendible. Feeling like you fit in and making friends is key to one’s sense of belonging.
Family separation is common for migrants. Through their smartphone they can still keep I touch with friends and family who are either on the same journey as they are or still back at home. Furthermore, communication enables the work of smugglers and the sending of messages to avoid gatekeepers. Information can be sent via smartphones from refugees who are further ahead in their journey to send warnings, information and advice about the journey. War and persecution divides refugees from their families so communication is vital for people in these situations. In 'Exodus Our Journey to Europe’ it was explained that Whatsapp and Viber are the two most common platforms of communication used by migrants and this is because there is no digital trace left behind on these apps.
Phones enable people to stay connected to the world. Harney (2013) explains of a case where the Immigration Office got in contact with a refugee by sending a text message to organize a meeting to sort his application and hopefully obtain a visa. Without this text communication the refugee would have never of know when his appointment was and the hope of obtaining a visa would have been an ongoing wish. Moreover, is proven that (Humane Borders, 2008) most rescue operations are initiated by migrants using their smartphones. Without this communication line many more lives would have been lost.
The major issue refugees are faced with concerning their smartphones is that they have the constant worry of having to stay connected. They need regular WIFI access and places to charge their device along the way. Technical issues are also common such as water damage to a device or the wrong SIM card for the country. One man explained that he went through 13 SIM cards on his way from Greece to Germany (Gillespie, Osseiran and Cheesman, 2018). Not only is this a hassle but it is also expensive. Additionally, so far in 2018 alone 67,122 people have reach Europe by sea (Refugee Council, 2018) so you can only imagine how many phones are susceptible to water damage. Furthermore, Birnbaum and Booth (2015, pg.A11) explain the story of a Syrian family who say their smartphone is no longer working so they don’t know where to go. This is a negative side effect of reliance on your device in these exposed situations- if your phone breaks you are left with nothing. You are left a victim of poverty in all respects.
Through their smartphone’s migrants can present themselves in a contrasting manner than our UK media does. Refugees are portrayed in a predominantly negative manner especially in the right-wing media. For example, in the Brexit campaign by Farage there were images of hundreds of refugees with bold writing which read “Breaking Point” (Image 1). This is a scaremongering campaign which implies that the migrants are causing huge strain to our country. Farage talks about migrants taking our jobs and that we are losing our culture. The smartphone allows refugees and asylum seekers to subvert these preconceived ideas to a certain degree. Characteristics of hard work, positive energy and relentless trying are diffused through images taken on their phones of their tiresome journey. These are all attributes that any working environment would welcome. Refugees present themselves in a positive light and potentially subvert our negative preconceptions of their behaviour and harmful contribution to our European countries.
It seems that if smartphones are used correctly, carefully and safely they can be the key to help guide the migrants to their destination (Bennhold, K. et al. 2015). Smartphones affect our state of mind, feeling of security and wellbeing (Horst and Miller, 2006) and can efficiently carry migrants through their journey to Europe, in the resettlement period and overcome some peoples preconceived mind-sets on them to a degree. As technology develops the smartphone will become even more vital for migrants with new advancements further facilitating their journey.