ABSTRACT
A region of dramatic growth and transformation, Asia is witnessing an ever accelerating flow of capital, goods, and people, both within and beyond its geographical boundaries. Accordingly, domestic and international migration has also intensified in this thriving continent. Underlying this ceaseless flow of people is a rich technological landscape that enables communication links between migrants and their left-behind families, albeit with uneven levels of access to technology that translate into variations in the quality and nature of communication. Such long-distance communication has been revolutionized by new media, including various Internet- and mobile phone-based platforms. This chapter charts key trends in migration within Asia through a systematic review of key literature, and explains the critical role that new media platforms play in the process of migration, from the establishment and sustenance of emotional bonds to the generation of capital that can contribute to improved job opportunities and an enhanced quality of life.
