Social media narratives, diasporic identity and collective memory: A critical synthesis of the literature

This study investigates the evolving relationship between social media narratives, diasporic identity, and collective memory in a context marked by increasing migration and growing digital media engagement. Employing a scoping review as a meta-analysis approach, we analyzed scholarly literature from 2014 to 2024 across Diaspora Studies, Sociology, and Communication Studies to understand how cultural and identity narratives are evolving amid fast-developing digital technologies. Out of 250 sources collected, 69 were shortlisted for in-depth review based on their relevance to the research questions. The study reveals a dichotomy in digital narratives concerning diasporic identity and collective memory, highlighting both positive potentials and negative drawbacks. On the positive side, digital narratives can foster empowerment, memory preservation, and community building. On the negative side, they may pose challenges to personal and collective identity, exhibit anti-democratic tendencies, and undermine cultural diversity. The research concludes by proposing a new analytical framework for examining diasporic identity and collective memory in relation to social media narratives, along with specific suggestions for future research in this ever-evolving ecosystem.