Mobile Myanmar: The Impact of Social Media on Young People Living in Conflict-Affected Regions of Myanmar but more reserved offline. One comment indicated that there may be a lack of empathy for how online interactions may affect others’ emotions. “You can say jokes or tease someone online, but offline you don’t dare to do this because she might get angry” Male, 18-23 years, Maramagyi Buddhist, Sittwe (Rakhine State urban) Impact on society There is a mix of participant responses regarding the overall impact of social media on Myanmar society. Positive impacts focused on the opportunity social media provides people to gain knowledge and learn new skills (e.g., selfmanagement, vocational skills), and connect with both the outside world and their local community (e.g., being alerted to potential dangers). Participants provided several examples of ways they use social media to navigate through challenges they experience. These included learning English (e.g., using an online dictionary to help them interpret what they are reading online), learning about different topics and skills (e.g., business advice, learning about computers etc.), and searching for health information to help them with health problems. Muslim IDP participants noted that social media helped them stay in touch with family members they have been separated from due to the Rohingya crisis. “Because of the conflict, some family members got separated and we do not have communication before, but due to the social media, we are able to communicate.” Female, 18-22 years, Muslim, Thet Kel Pyin camp (Rakhine State IDP) As in the previous section, urban participants discussed more negative impacts compared to Muslim IDP participants. These mainly focused on the impact that spending so much time online had on their offline relationships. “It is not good for family. For some children when their parents tried to teach them, they will reply they already read about this or know about this from online. They won’t listen to what their parents say.” Female, 26 years, Rakhine Buddhist, Sittwe (Rakhine State urban) “Within friends, we don’t talk about jokes like before when gather with each other, as some use phones and some play games.” Male, 21 years, Rakhine Buddhist, Sittwe (Rakhine State urban) Other negative impacts included hostile interactions that can result in offline conflicts, and the availability of inappropriate adult videos that were said to lead to early marriage. Urban participants discussed the several different online groups available to them, including social groups, work related groups, religious groups, and interest groups (e.g., online shopping). However, they reported that they hadn’t been part of or exposed to many political groups online. When asked if social media was used to for advocacy or to mobilise young people, participants in the Muslim IDP camps said they mostly use phone calls for this instead. Some urban participants mentioned Facebook and Viber groups being used to communicate with young people in their community, however there were no specific examples of what they communicated about. The connections young people have made online have opened them up to several opportunities, including making friends from other countries (including romantic relationships) and practicing English with native English speakers. Social media had also been beneficial for creating a sense of cultural identity and learning about the cultures of others. “Before no one knew about our culture. Because of Facebook, many people from this country know about our culture now.” Male, 18-22 years, Maramagyi Buddhist, Sittwe (Rakhine State urban) 56