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The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines immigration as: “Entering and usually becoming established … to come into a country of which one is not a native for permanent residence.” This type of movement—often to a more developed country—has become a global phenomenon. There are several socio-economic and socio-political reasons to migrate from a home country to a host country. These include poverty, unemployment, conflicts, threats, and political captivity. However, leaving a community known since birth and adjusting to a new environment can be challenging for immigrants. On one hand, immigrants feel disconnected and isolated from the friends and family that they have left behind. On the other hand, there is a lack of strong networks with people in their new community. Restricted communication by a limited knowledge of the host country’s language may cause feelings of loss.
Several studies assessing immigrants’ struggles in adjusting to the host country’s environment have identified that ICTs—mainly computers and the internet—play pivotal roles in the successful resettlement of immigrants. By using ICTs, immigrants can:
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Reconnect and maintain sociocultural networks back home (Bacigalupe & Càmara, 2012; Benitez, 2006; Chen, 2010)
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Familiarize themselves with and adjust to a new environment (Benitez, 2006; Kabbar & Crump, 2006; Khvorostianov, Elias, & Nimrod, 2011)
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Explore information and provide various support services (Alam & Imran, 2015; Barth & Veit, 2011; Peeters & d’Haenens, 2005)
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Retrieve health information (Bacigalupe, & Cámara, 2012; Mikal, & Woodfield, 2015; Selsky, Luta, Noone, Huerta, & Mandelblatt, 2013)
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Enhance children’s education (Kabbar, & Crump, 2006, 2007; Tripp, 2010)
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Entertain elderly people in their leisure time (Khvorostianov et al., 2011)
Studies have noticed different purposes of ICT adoption and use by immigrants in different parts of the world.
Several studies indicate that limited income, low-level education, lack of skills, and language barriers cause recent immigrants to have lower rates of access to computers and the internet than the locals (Barth & Veit, 2011; Chen, 2010; Haight, Quan-Haase, & Corbett, 2014; Kabbar & Crump, 2006; Mossberger, Tolbert, Bowen, & Jimenez, 2012; Tsai, 2006). Ahmed and Veronis (2016), Haight et al. (2014), and Ros (2010) noted that recent immigrants are more likely to suffer from the digital divide – the gap between/ among people in regards to their access, skills, usage of and motivation to computers and the Internet (Heisler, 2008; Nguyen, 2012; Sparks, 2013; Van Dijk, 2012). When they do have access to the Internet, they have higher levels of online activities and interactions. Similarly, Kabbar and Crump (2006, 2007) noted that immigrants view ICTs, particularly the computer and the Internet, positively and want to use them as soon as they have the opportunity. Other scholars, such as Mossberger et al. (2012), argue that some immigrants consciously choose not to adopt and use ICT devices because they fear technological risks or have negative feelings about technology. Different findings lead to important questions, such as: What motivates immigrants to use (or not use) ICTs? What factors influence immigrants’ decisions to adopt ICTs?