Virtual Mobilities Italy—Morocco and Mediterranean Connections

Abstract

Our study aims to understand the relationship between the use of the Internet and migrants’ interpersonal relations in their host environments with natives, with persons of the same ethnic group, and with their places of origin. Specifically, this study firstly attempts to discern the influence of Moroccan migrants’ virtual mobilities—coupled with their spatial mobilities as migrants in Italy—on individuals’ patterns of encountering and integration locally while keeping instant connection with their home country. Secondly, we attempt to realize a first appreciation of connected spaces through individuals’ communication patterns across the sea in order to initially assess the contours of the digitally connected Mediterranean Basin, on the basis of personal mobilities from Italy to Morocco and vice versa.