Information literacy competencies and social media as a source of information for integration of newcomers

Abstract

Introduction. The poster presents research in progress. The research aims at understanding how information literacy helps the integration process of women refugees and immigrants in Nordic countries (Sweden and Finland). The initial results show that newcomers face various problems of seeking relevant and timely information, lack of social connections and lack of information literacy competencies in a new country. However, they use social media (particularly Facebook and Instagram) as an information source to enhance language learning, cultural learning, making connections and job-seeking. Facebook and Instagram are the biggest social networking platforms in Sweden and Finland. In this study, it is interesting to see how participants follow different groups on Facebook such as, “Syrians in Sweden” or “Jobs for Immigrants in Finland “and follow hashtags on Instagram to learn about local language and culture such as, #Swedishculture #svenskpoddar #learnFinnish #swedishforforeigners etc. Following the specific hashtags can be seen as one of the information literacy competencies that participants use to seek the information. Due to lack of information literacy competencies in a new cultural setting, they face issues of information overload and misinformation on these social media platforms.