Breaking the silence: information and communication needs of Central American migrants in Mexico

Abstract

The spread of violence in Central America has diversifed the profle of people forced to fee their countries. Refugees and other undocumented migrants have different nationalities, ages or socio-economic status. But they all agree on something: they need reliable information to make decisions on an extremely dangerous journey. This research analyzes the information needs of migrants, their ways and resources to cover them and the role of technologies to help them or put them at greater risk. The study concludes that communication is a priority and many prefer invest their scant economical resources to be in touch with their families over food or shelter. Most of the interviewees were travelling with their own cell phones or wanted to get one. They were connected to social networks and starting to use apps like Google Maps. Mainly young and urban, migrants are gaining more knowledge to take advantage of these digital tools.

Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 149, 2017: 3-36