Social Media as a Tool for Integration Policies

The public debate on migration in Italy shows increasing polarisation, amplified by social media, influencing representations, public opinion and the orientation of integration policies. Digital platforms function as spaces for the production of meaning and identity, promoting participation but also stereotypes and misinformation. The research analyses the impact of digitalisation on the migration discourse, assessing the potential of social media as tools to support public policies. Part of the sociological literature on digital media and decision-making processes, the work considers the dual function of platforms: amplifying conflicts or providing useful data for evidence-based policies. The method is mixed: sentiment analysis and automated analysis of content on YouTube and TikTok relating to three key events, together with interviews with young migrants to understand how digital networks influence participation and integration.