Anna Lindh Foundation

MIGRATION AND DIGITALIZATION
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Author: Tuire Liimatainen and Sarah Pellander
Publisher: Migration Institute of Finland
Year of Publication: 2025
Abstract

This publication explores the complex relationship between human migration and the rapid evolution of digital technologies. As digital tools become integrated into daily life, they have fundamentally reshaped how individuals experience displacement, relocation, and social integration. The authors argue that digitalization is not merely a technical shift but a social transformation that alters the infrastructure of migration, from how migrants navigate physical borders to how they maintain transnational ties through digital platforms.

The issue brings together diverse empirical studies and theoretical perspectives, primarily centered on the Finnish context. Key themes include the "digital divide" and its impact on service access, the role of social media in forming virtual communities, and the ethical challenges of data governance in migration management. Several articles investigate how digital platforms facilitate labor and how migrant women navigate specific challenges in a technology-driven workforce.

Furthermore, the publication highlights the importance of "digital inclusion." It examines how public services are increasingly digitized and the barriers this creates for those without high levels of digital literacy. By looking at specific case studies, such as the use of Facebook groups for community building or the impact of AI-driven recruitment on integration, the authors provide a holistic view of the modern migrant experience. Ultimately, this collection emphasizes that while technology offers new avenues for agency and connection, it also introduces new forms of surveillance and systemic exclusion. These developments require careful policy consideration and human-centric design to ensure that digital transitions do not leave vulnerable populations behind in an increasingly connected yet complex global landscape.

Countries

Finland
Region

Europe

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