Irregular Migration: How Social Media Images Lure Young Senegalese

Limited job opportunities and uncertainty about the future lead some young Senegalese to view the Atlantic crossing to Spain as a chance to change their lives. Videos widely shared on social media portray arrivals in Europe positively, showing joyful scenes and warm welcomes. They often leave out shipwrecks, disappearances at sea, precarious conditions, and administrative and integration challenges, potentially encouraging other young people to leave. The article questions whether public authorities can turn announcements and support programs into concrete opportunities.