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Mobile Myanmar: The Impact of Social Media on Young People Living in Conflict-Affected Regions of Myanmar 3. Have you ever used it? a. If ‘yes’: why? Ok, this time I want everyone to show me how to report offensive, abusive, or dangerous content. Chose a post in your timeline to demonstrate on, and when you’re ready to show me how to report something, raise your hand. 4. Did you already know how to report something? a. If ‘yes’: how did you learn about it? 5. What can you use this feature to report? 6. Have you ever used the report feature? a. If ‘yes’: why? Good work everyone! [Confirm that all participants now know how to use the block and report functions. Give all youth participants a copy of the pamphlet outlining the process] Follow up Discussion: 7. What are some of the golden rules for using social media responsibly? a. What shouldn’t you do? i. (prompt: should you spread lies and rumours?) ii. (prompt: should you share graphic photos and adult/18+ content?) b. What should you do? i. (prompt: should you give credit for photos you post that are taken by other people?) ii. (prompt: should you write nice messages for people’s birthdays?) 8. Do you ever feel obligated to respond or behave a certain way on social media? 9. Have your parents/elders/teachers taught you anything about how to stay safe online? 10. Do your parents/teachers try to limit/control your social media use? If so, how? 121

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

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Language

English

Topic

Hate Speech
Internet Connectivity / Accessibility

Author(s)

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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