Paper short abstract:

This paper explores how the Sudanese migrant community leverages Facebook groups and other social media platforms to acquire knowledge and navigate migration processes. The research is framed within the concept of "communities of practice," (Wenger,1986).

Paper long abstract:

Migration has long been an integral part of Sudanese society, with movement from Sudan historically tied to broader patterns of migration across the Sahel and North Africa. Today, digital technology plays a vital role in facilitating migration, enabling migrants to access real-time information and advice during their journeys. This technological shift has sparked both interest and concern, particularly regarding the use of apps to support irregular migration and help migrants avoid exploitation by smugglers and human traffickers (IOM 2022).

This paper explores how the Sudanese migrant community leverages Facebook groups and other social media platforms to acquire knowledge and navigate migration processes. The research is framed within the concept of "communities of practice," as Wenger (1986) proposed, which refers to people engaging in collective learning within a specific domain.

The study employs qualitative research methods, including online ethnography and contextual analysis, to examine posts from 12 Facebook groups and the content of a YouTube channel. These sources offer valuable insights into how migrants share information about migration routes, costs, smugglers, and challenges they may encounter, particularly in transit countries such as Libya, Tunisia, Niger, Algeria, Morocco, Turkey, and along the Balkan route.

Initial findings reveal that Facebook groups have become a critical source of information for prospective migrants. They also serve as a platform where migrants form a shared identity, using specialized terminology related to migration. As Facebook began to restrict content, migrants adapted by using local languages and coded terms to bypass detection algorithms.