Mobile Myanmar: The Impact of Social Media on Young People Living in Conflict-Affected Regions of Myanmar
Partner with government to develop e-learning opportunities for young people to increase their English skills,
computer skills, vocational skills and general level of education. These should be tailored to Myanmar young people
and ensure they are available in both Myanmar language and local languages. Encouraging telecommunications
providers to make online education platforms free to access (i.e., not require data costs) could maximise their
accessibility. Rohingya1 young people would particularly benefit from distance education given the restrictions on
their freedom of movement.
Recommendations for academic researchers
Develop and trial online support services for emotional and mental health issues among young people in Myanmar
as a matter of priority. For example, investigate the suitability and efficacy of the app ‘Mee Pya Tike’ for providing
emotional support via online chat sessions.
Conduct more studies into the suitability and efficacy of affordable and scalable online and offline interventions to
address youth mental health in Myanmar.
Recommendations for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other local actors
Develop urban and village workshops to teach media literacy and digital citizenship skills to parents and teachers
and teach them about appropriate community standards for social media use.
Use social media to connect existing youth networks across Myanmar to promote dialogue, peace and
understanding between different cultural groups.
1 I
n this report,the term ‘Rohingya’is used to refer to the m em bers ofthe M uslim com m unity in Rakhine State w ho have self-identified as
such,in affirm ation ofthe rightofself-identification ofallcom m unities.Aside from the Rohingya com m unity,Kam an M uslim s also m ake up a
proportion ofthe M uslim com m unity in Rakhine State.
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