Global and Local Digital Communication among Young Immigrants – From Risk to Advantage

The present research examined the use and its influence of social networking applications on the process of young immigrants’ acclimatization in Israel, given the widespread use of such applications by adolescents. This is a mixed-method study. A total of 551 participants completed questionnaires, of whom 110 were also interviewed. The study found that participants feel that communication alleviates the sense of longing, enables intimate discourse, sentiment sharing, release of anger, and relief of frustration. The use of web applications encourages significant interactions with those who remained in the country of origin, but to a certain extent causes social isolation in the new country. The findings indicate that adolescents consider the reality in which they live as a global world, and it is difficult for them to accept restrictions imposed by the locale. Therefore, they seek means that would compensate for the physical distance between them and their friends and loved ones who have remained abroad. Participants felt that thanks to mobile technologies they were able to integrate into their new environment. Translation software, databases, various applications, and social network groups have helped satisfy their needs, assisted in real time with difficulties they encountered, and helped create a social connection.