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Mobile Myanmar: The Impact of Social Media on Young People Living in Conflict-Affected Regions of Myanmar FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS: RAKHINE STATE This section presents a summary of the qualitative analysis of the 8 FGDs conducted in Rakhine State. In total there were 63 Rakhine State participants (30 urban-based and 33 IDP camp-based) ranging in age from 17-31 years, and from religiously and ethnically diverse backgrounds (see Methodology Section for full details of FGD demographics). Direct quotes included in this section contain as much demographic information as was recorded against that quote from the field notes in each case. All FGDs followed the same general outline, covering the seven areas of interest detailed in the Methodology Section (the full FGD guide is available in Appendix B). The area of interest ‘hate speech and harassment’ is separated here into two separate areas due to the high volume of responses and divergent themes that emerged. General usage The most commonly used apps mentioned by both the Muslim IDP camp and urban participants included Facebook, Google, Messenger, Viber, WeChat, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Muslim IDP participants also mentioned using IMO, Skype, and TikTok, but these were not used by urban participants (though some knew of them). The apps that were mentioned by participants from both locations as known but not used included Instagram and Snapchat. Facebook was described as the most popular social media platform due to the following features: the majority of people use it; easy to use; allows them to connect and communicate with existing friends and family and those they had lost touch with; allows quick access to news and information; helps them learn English. However, some participants said that they did not use Facebook, because it was costly (presumably due to data usage as the app itself is free), and/or it was banned by their parents due to inappropriate content. When compared with other popular apps, Facebook was said to have additional capabilities (such as sharing pictures and making comments) that other popular apps don’t have (e.g., Viber is good for chat only). Urban participants also reported that while Facebook is the go-to platform to search information and news, Google was more trustworthy and is used more to validate news they see on Facebook. In some Muslim IDP groups, IMO was more popular than Facebook because it was used to communicate with friends and family who lived overseas, and it had better reception (likely due to being less data-consuming than Facebook). One urban participant expressed a preference for WeChat over Facebook, saying that its news is more reliable and up to date, has more international users, and does not to set limits on group member numbers. Online safety Participants were asked whether it was safe to be online and there was consensus from the participants from both the Muslim IDP and urban locations that it was not safe. Most responses focused on dangers such as their personal images being taken and photoshopped inappropriately, fake accounts posing as them or their friends to use for financial scams or blackmail, or their account being hacked into (including by the government) and misused. Other reasons that participants suggested made social media unsafe were that news and information available can be fake, and that these kinds of posts can create or increase conflict. Participants also reported being contacted by strangers and receiving inappropriate images and messages. There was a mixed response regarding the use and knowledge of the block feature. There were a variety of reasons participants gave for why they used the block feature. Participants who did use the block feature used it to block strangers due to harassment (including receiving rude and inappropriate sexual language and images, continued unwanted contact, and being attacked for not responding to messages), financial scams, or seeing altered images and inappropriate use of friend’s images. Some also reported blocking friends for posting too many details about their life or posting too many images. Other participants noted that instead of using the block feature they unfollowed the account. Some Muslim IDP participants also mentioned receiving harassing phone calls from strangers, noting that they had to change their sim cards because they did not know how to use the block feature on their phone. 47

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Mobile Myanmar: The impact of social media on young people in conflict-affected regions of Myanmar

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English

Topic

Hate Speech
Internet Connectivity / Accessibility

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Save the Children
The University of Sydney

Date Published: Nov 1, 2019

Abstract: The advent of social media in Myanmar following the transition towards civilian rule announced in 2011 has given young people an important new platform for civic engagement and expression, and access to information and knowledge. But while young people are highly engaged with social media and its potential to bring benefits to their daily lives, this research reveals a number of alarming trends. Emerging new dangers such as online sexual harassment and hate speech are widespread and deeply concerning, and threaten to impact the safety and participation of girls and minority groups. Most young people lack the digital citizenship skills required to protect themselves from the online dangers and emotional and mental health impacts of social media highlighted in this report. The study finds evidence that young people across Myanmar suffer from ‘hate speech fatigue’, often exacerbated by repeat exposure to fake news and propaganda targeting specific communities. Over time, this effect limits young Myanmar users’ willingness to seek out and engage with reporting and blocking functions that may help combat fake news and hate speech online. Understanding the impact of social media on social and political discourse in Myanmar is of urgent, critical importance. While the young people in this study saw great potential for social media to increase empathy and understanding between different groups, the struggle to curb anti-Muslim hate speech in particular, and the structural and violent oppression it begets, is still very real. As recent global events have shown, democratic processes are especially vulnerable to disinformation campaigns and the spread of fake news and hate speech. Myanmar’s democracy is still new, and with elections upcoming in 2020, social media could very well play a role in shifting voter attitudes, especially among young people.

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Mobile Myanmar: The impact of social media on young people in conflict-affected regions of Myanmar

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