Overcoming digital barriers: evidence from Venezuelan migrants in Colombia

Unprecedented migration flows demand effective strategies for integrating migrants into the public systems of their host countries. The rapid digitalization of services creates new opportunities for inclusion, but limited internet access, digital literacy challenges, and weak social networks remain significant barriers. In collaboration with Innovations for Poverty Action and using administrative data from Colombia’s National Planning Department, this study designs and implements a randomized controlled trial to reduce these barriers among Venezuelan migrants in Colombia. This study tests whether providing unlimited mobile data for a month and information about public benefits, delivered individually or within moderated WhatsApp groups, improves access to social services and other integration outcomes. This study finds that information provision, particularly via WhatsApp groups, significantly increased verified enrollment in Portal Ciudadano, the country’s social services platform. Networked participants also demonstrated greater interest in government services and a stronger ability to complete digitally demanding tasks, which are increasingly important in today’s digital environment. By contrast, this study finds no effects on outcomes such as employment, and even observes some negative effects on well-being. This study advances our understanding of migrant integration, highlighting WhatsApp’s potential to activate networks and assist migrants in navigating host societies, while also revealing the ongoing challenges in achieving broader integration outcomes.