Digital Migrants: Understanding Sub-Saharan Migration to Morocco through the Prism of Social Media Technologies

This paper aims to re-examine the migratory process in the digital age. The aim is to identify the place of social media technologies in the migration project of sub-Saharan migrants in Morocco attempting to reach Europe, and the nature of their uses in this risky and irregular migratory experience. Our starting point is that thinking about migration involves explaining how decisions are made and how migration can take place. This approch has focused on the realities between the country of origin and the country of destination, with the result that communication with the migrant is interrupted throughout the transit journey.

Social media and smartphones play a major role in the migration process. Digital technology has challenged both the traditional approach and migrants' strategies for making their migration a success. Digital communication tools are an essential component of successful migration. We have attempted to study the migratory experience from the angle of digital social networks through a qualitative study conducted with irregular sub-Saharan migrants in Casablanca.

It has been found that these networks can support migration decision-making through the images shared by previous migrants and the basic information needed for successful migration and border crossing. By using these networks, migrants can obtain information on next steps and migration skills shared by previous migrants. Coordination with networks of smugglers. They play an essential role in ensuring ongoing communication with the country of origin and mobilizing moral support, but it's also a space to express oneself and highlight the migrant's achievements.