Migrant Community Workers play an important role in helping migrants navigate online services and stay safe in Ireland’s increasingly digital society.
The Cyber Safety research team explored the challenges these workers encounter while supporting migrant communities with digital services, scams and other online risks.
Understanding Digital Safety Challenges
Through interviews with eight Migrant Community Workers in Cork and Waterford, the research found that phishing and scams were major concerns. These included bank impersonation, rental scams, fraudulent job offers and gift-card scams. Misinformation, disinformation, online hostility and harassment were also significant concerns.
The research also highlighted language barriers, unfamiliarity with Irish digital systems and fragmented support services.
Migrant Community Workers often step in to help with online forms, government services, translation, accounts and other digital tasks, effectively becoming what the researchers describe as “de facto cyber guardians.”
Supporting Migrant Communities Online
The research highlights the need for more accessible and culturally responsive digital-safety support. This could include translated resources, in-person support, workshops and train-the-trainer programmes that help trusted community workers share cybersecurity knowledge within migrant communities.
Overall, the study shows the important role Migrant Community Workers play in helping people navigate digital services and stay safer online.