Social networking vital link for asylum chasers

Melbourne’s detention centre at Broadmeadowsholds a recreation room. It comprises of 4 computer terminals. The place is filled with asylum seekers in their teens dressed in jumpers and tracksuit pants. They sit right in front of screens and browse Facebook.

However, social networking site for these boys is not just a place to share gossip and post lavish profile pictures. This is the only link that keeps them aware and connected to the outside world.

The asylum seekers want to share their state of health, how they feel, what they go through and what they have with them in the asylum with their friends outside.

There have been reports about asylum seekers and detainees at the Melourne centre having sewn their lips together and posted the pictures on Facebook. These images clicked using cellular phone camera. In fact, this has been the first incident wherein people from the asylum centre expressed self-harm using social networking site.

However, there have been evidences suggesting that this has not been the first time that asylum seekers in detention centre have utilized Facebook to share their mental status and circumstances with outside world. Facebook is acting as a communication tool for asylum seekers as the phone systems available in the detention centres are in a poor condition.

Communication via phone is a big problem at many detention centres in Melbourne including Scherger, Christmas Island and Darwin and detention centres.

The problem is that asylum seekers, especially those arriving by boat are often denied carrying mobile phones.

No wonder, Facebook has appeared as a chief communication mode for many detainees. Thankfully, internet access is available in detention centres for a long time now. The best access is available at centres with fewer detainees.

However, the detainees here require satisfying themselves with just four PCs for 45 kids. The average time allowed to spend is about thirty minutes. Getting a PC and internet access is a constant struggle for the detainees. They require racing to ensure a seat.

Facebook has now turned out to be a crucial tool for keeping outsiders informed about disaster situations in detention centres. With the help of Facebook, asylum seekers can easily let people know what they have been going through.

In a recent incident reported, asylum seekers have utilized Facebook to send across a request to the federal government in order to establish communication with the media. Asylum seekers are often denied access to the World Wide Web after the recent mutinies in March.

Facebook is a strong tool for asylum seekers when it comes to establish communication with the outside world. This is very important for asylum seekers who have been struggling to keep a link with the world from detention centres for a long time.