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Mobile Myanmar: The Impact of Social Media on Young People Living in Conflict-Affected Regions of Myanmar “Easier, because by using Facebook, we can learn about up to date daily news, what is happening elsewhere. I can also watch new Indian movies. I can go and search the new movies, download and watch.” Male, 24 years, Rohingya Muslim, Basara (Rakhine State IDP) “I believe it is easier for young people’s lives, for example the young people who do not how to dress well or how to maintain on his/her appearance can learn how to dress well by learning from Facebook.” Female, 19 years, Rakhine Buddhist, Sittwe (Rakhine State urban) “Their living standards can be raised after watching movies of their favourite actors and actresses. They imitate the way they dress and they can order things online such as clothes and shoes.” Male, 29 years, Rohingya Muslim, Basara (Rakhine State IDP) Impacts on society When asked what they thought were the biggest differences between online and offline youth behaviour, responses were highly variable with no clear patterns between different demographics. Some though that young people are more polite to each other online compared to offline. “Some people talk nicely to one another online but offline they don’t get along together.” Female, 30 years, Kayan Christian, Loikaw (Kayah State urban) “They speak gently online but the opposite offline. Some expressed themselves well online but don’t know how to talk when meeting outside.” Male, 20 years, Kayan Christian, Loikaw (Kayah State urban) While others thought that young people were ruder and more outspoken online. “The way you write online and speak offline is different. Even myself, when I write posts online, it seems to be ruder. We tend to use [offensive] words to exhort people [to listen to us].” Male, 34 years, Kayan Christian, Loikaw (Kayah State urban) “Some they post whatever they like on Facebook but it’s different offline.” Male, 52 years, Rakhine Buddhist, Sittwe (Rakhine State urban) “You can write whatever you want online but not offline.” Male, 31 years, Kayah Buddhist, Ve Thae Ku village (Kayah State rural) One common theme was that some young people were very active and outspoken online, but quiet and reserved offline. This is consistent with the FGDs that suggested young people were more comfortable expressing themselves online rather than offline. 79

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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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