Mitigating Risks: Safe, Wise and Secure Use of Digital Technologies by Migrant Communities in South Africa

The paper discusses the role of digital projects in supporting marginalized communities, such as migrants, who rely on digital platforms to connect, share information, and engage with others. While digital solutions can offer significant benefits, they can also bring heightened risks and vulnerabilities, especially for already vulnerable groups. The paper explores these potential risks and suggests best practices to ensure the safe, wise and secure use of digital technology among migrants. The research and practice approach aligns with Participatory Action Research (PAR), fostering collaborative and equitable partnerships throughout the research process. PAR balances research with action, positioning participants as central to analysis and decision-making, while emphasizing long-term commitment and continuous improvement through iterative cycles. This paper presents select findings on digital harms and risks experienced by migrants in South Africa where the authors also worked closely with civil society organisations and vulnerable migrant groups, emphasizing that the research and practice were designed to directly impact migrants' lives. By engaging migrants in learning and then creating digital content and training others in the safe, wise and secure use of digital technologies, we facilitated a platform for migrants' voices aimed at reducing risks faced by already vulnerable groups.