The Perceptions of Iraqi Internally Displaced Persons of Social Media Use during War and Conflict

Abstract

The expansion of social media platforms’ uses through mobile devices to obtain news and information in wars and conflicts is pertinent among refugees and even internally displaced persons (IDPs). A few studies have examined how different social media platforms have enabled users to send and get their news and information about their situation. Explained by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Uses and Gratifications theory, this study examines the impressions of how and why Iraqi IDP respondents use social media platforms, their perceptions, and their adoption of social media platforms in the times of war and conflict especially during the ISIS operations, for communication, information seeking, social interaction and its perceived usefulness regarding continuous usage behavioral intention. A sample of 288 Iraqi IDPs in four large camps in Iraq participated in this research. The findings revealed that most IDP respondents use and adopt various media platforms (traditional and new) for news and information. They, not surprisingly, mostly used their mobile devices to send and get such news and information. Such devices and platforms were very important in enabling them to get in touch with their loved ones, friends and relatives and communicate and socialize with others. These devices, once connected to the Internet, were also important as a tool in seeking information e.g., knowing what assistance is being provided. Keywords: Social media sites, Refugee crisis, internally displaced persons, mobile devices, Iraq war and conflict.