FIMS Publications

Internet, Social Media, and Settlement: A Study on Bangladeshi Immigrants in Canada / Internet, médias sociaux, et établissement : une étude des immigrants bangladais au Canada

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2021

Volume

43

Issue

3

Journal

Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science

First Page

291

Last Page

315

Abstract

This study describes Internet and social media usage among Bangladeshi immigrants in Ontario, Canada. Using a mixed-method approach, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with 60 Bangladeshi immigrants in Ontario and gathered 205 completed survey responses. The findings show that recent Bangladeshi immigrants in Canada significantly depend on the Internet and social media tools in preand post-arrival contexts. Specifically, the findings indicate that the use of ethnic community social media forums among the Bangladeshi community are used for help with various aspects of their settlement into Canadian society, including learning about life in Canada, accommodation, and employment. The findings also reveal the important role that social media networking tools like LinkedIn play in recent newcomers’ employment-related decision making and settlement in Canada. The author calls for further studies on immigrants’ use of the Internet and social media—in particular, for studies on ethnic community social media forums and their role in newcomers’ settlement. The author also urges countries welcoming immigrants across the globe such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom to develop timely, need-based, online services for skilled immigrants and their dependents in order to meet the diverse needs of highly skilled immigrant populations.

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