Digital Literacy as Capital: Syrian Migrant Women's ICT Utilization and Social Cohesion in Türkiye

ABSTRACT This study examines how digital literacy functions as a form of capital shaping the social cohesion experiences of Syrian migrant women in Istanbul, Türkiye. Through the lens of Bourdieu's field theory, we analyse how women utilize information and communication technologies (ICTs) to navigate sociocultural barriers and establish themselves within various social fields in their host country. Based on 24 in‐depth, semistructured interviews with Syrian migrant women, this research reveals the complex interplay between digital technologies and social cohesion processes. ICTs create vital bridges between cultural worlds, allowing women to maintain connections with their homeland while building networks within Turkish society. Online communities emerge as significant fields where social capital is generated and exchanged, creating spaces where women access information, share experiences and receive support. However, digital platforms simultaneously reflect and sometimes intensify existing inequalities, as women's ability to utilize these technologies depends on pre‐existing capitals, particularly education level and language proficiency. This digital engagement is further shaped by gender‐specific challenges and socio‐cultural norms that constrain women's online self‐presentation and online visibility.