The Role of Digital Literacy Practices on Refugee Resettlement.

This study explores the social and cultural uses of digital literacies by adolescent immigrants to cope with their new lives in the United States. This case study focuses on three adolescent ethnic Karen brothers. Two years of participant observations in their home and Karen community, accompanied by formal and informal interviews, served as the data. Findings report the ways in which these adolescent's digital literacy skills serve them and their family throughout the resettlement process by facilitating: (1) the maintaining and building of co-ethnic friendships, (2) connection to the broader Karen diaspora community, (3) the sustaining and promoting of ethnic solidarity, and (4) the creation and dissemination of digital productions. We argue that the Internet facilitates these youth as they cope with the economic, educational, and social demands of resettlement. This study can inform teachers and others working with immigrant communities about the literacy practices of their students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]