How immigrants’ negative portrayal on social media creates hostile environment in their new countries

By Maria Kotrotsiou from E-SCHOOL

Social media influences and forms public perceptions and opinions significantly in the information age. In regard to the depiction of immigrants, these platforms frequently foster detrimental stereotypes that have the potential to profoundly affect the experiences of individuals who have recently arrived in their host nations.

With the escalating influx of immigrants in the Western World (including Europe and the United States) since the early 2000s, anti-immigration discourse has become increasingly strident. As a result of the media and general public’s negative portrayals of immigrants and refugees, prejudices, biases, and a wave of mistrust have increased. This is also evident in the wake of political transformations in numerous nations, were right-leaning and nationalistic parties have come to power.

Stimulus perpetuation is one of the principal ways in which social media contributes to the hostility faced by immigrants. Adverse depictions tend to diminish the multifaceted experiences of immigrants to simplistic stories, thereby constructing an inadequate and frequently partial image. Stereotypes that associate immigrants with criminal activity, depict them as economic burdens, or pose cultural threats all contribute to an inaccurate public perception.

The capacity of social media to magnify fear and isolated incidents into generalisations of negative stereotypes. Constant exposure to these narratives fosters xenophobia and mistrust in the environment. As opposed to being regarded as unique individuals with distinct experiences and ambitions, immigrants might be unjustly grouped together, thereby exacerbating an atmosphere of mistrust and animosity.

In order to mitigate the antagonistic atmosphere engendered by unfavourable depictions on social media, a comprehensive strategy is imperative. To begin with, media literacy and critical thinking abilities are essential for enabling the general public to differentiate between factual information and sensationalised narratives. Protests against erroneous information regarding immigrants and endeavours to dispel preconceived notions can significantly influence the transformation of public opinion.

Additionally, it is critical to promote inclusion by means of dialogue, cultural exchange programmes, and community-building endeavours. By means of personal anecdotes that humanise immigrants and underscore their constructive societal contributions, it is possible to counter the pervasive negative narratives that frequently prevail on social media platforms.

In summary, the adverse depiction of immigrants on social media extends beyond virtual conversations and significantly influences attitudes and actions in the physical world. Through acknowledging the significant impact that media has on shaping public sentiment, we can strive to establish a society that is more knowledgeable, compassionate, and welcoming to individuals who are new to the countryside as well as those who have long resided there. Challenging negative narratives and working towards a future in which diversity is embraced rather than feared constitutes a shared obligation.

Conzo, P., Fuochi, G., Anfossi, L. et al. Negative media portrayals of immigrants increase ingroup favoritism and hostile physiological and emotional reactions. Sci Rep 11, 16407 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-95800-2

Revealed: how US immigration uses fake social media profiles across investigations, Johana Bhuiyan and Sam Levin, Tue 5 Sep 2023 12.00 CEST, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/05/us-immigration-homeland-security-social-media-fake-profiles