The crisis in the palm of our hand: smartphones in contexts of conflict and care

Smartphones are everywhere, present in daily life, yet their impact on global crises and conflicts often goes unnoticed. Research published in the July 2024 issue of International Affairs shows how these devices influence crises and the way they unfold. Held by billions across the globe, smartphones are far more than tools for communication—they shape how we experience and react to the major events around us.

The Smartphone: A Security Device?

Smartphone devices have moved beyond simple communication tools and become a critical part of modern security landscapes. Their influence on international affairs is profound, woven into our lives in ways no previous device has managed. As of 2029, it’s predicted that more than 6 billion people will use smartphones, making them a major channel for accessing information and staying connected, especially during times of upheaval.

Across global conflict zones from Ukraine, Somalia, and Mali, smartphones have become an integrated part of conflict and crisis. In Somalia, upon arrival in a rural village, elders who would once greet outsiders with a stick in one hand, would now greet us with a stick in one hand and a smartphone in the other. The widespread adoption of smartphone technology, particularly the messaging app WhatsApp, has led to the emergence of “platform kinship”, a phenomenon that significantly challenges the state’s authority and traditional governance structures. In Ukraine, civilians utilize smartphone apps like e-Vorog and ePPO to report Russian troop movements, aircraft activity, and even missile launches, blurring the lines between citizen and combatant. And in Mali, influencers—so-called videomen—through smartphone technology play a central role in building popular support for Mali’s military regime and its intensified military cooperation with Russia. So, whether it’s keeping up with breaking news, sending warnings, or mobilizing resources, this handheld technology plays a pivotal role in how crises are both managed and experienced.

Looking Beyond Social Media

While research often focuses on the role of social media during conflict, the smartphone itself deserves attention. Its unique blend of capabilities influences how crises unfold. Some key aspects we highlight in this Special Section are:

• Speed: Smartphones have drastically increased the speed of communication, especially in emergencies. Information is now transmitted almost instantly, shaping the public’s perception of events and affecting responses as they happen. This rapid flow of news can mobilize support, raise awareness, or, conversely, fuel tensions and escalate violence.
• Audiovisual Capabilities: Communication is no longer just text messages and phone calls. The ability to capture and share images and videos has transformed the way crises are perceived. A single photo or video clip, shared on a platform, can expose human rights violations, shape international opinion, and impact the outcome of conflicts. Yet this is not always positive. These same visuals can distort facts, spread misinformation, and leave lasting psychological effects on those who witness the horrors of war through their screens.
• Scalability: With smartphones, distance is no longer a barrier to participation. People far from the physical site of a conflict can still contribute, raise funds, or join protests. Indeed, the proliferation of apps makes it possible for hundreds and thousands of people to communicate and organise collective action. This global participation has fundamentally changed how crises play out. Movements are no longer confined to those physically present in affected areas—anyone with a smartphone can take part.

Together, we argue, these three features produce new degrees of global interconnectedness that shape how contemporary crises unfold.

Global Crisis Ecologies

This interconnectedness has led to a new way of thinking about crises—where events are not contained by borders but shared, followed, and influenced by people worldwide. These devices have helped blur the lines between those in conflict zones and those far from them, creating what we call global crisis ecologies.

As smartphones link people across continents, they challenge traditional ideas about the geography of crises. A conflict in one region can be experienced in real-time by people on the other side of the globe, making it a truly global event. This expanded participation can shape the course of events, as those far removed from the physical site of a conflict can influence narratives, provide aid, or even fuel further tensions.

Conflict and Care

Smartphones are tools of both care and conflict. They have proved essential in coordinating humanitarian aid, documenting abuses, and providing communities with vital information during disasters. Through apps, instant messages, and group chats, those in crisis zones can connect with resources and share their stories with a global audience.

Yet, these same devices can be used in harmful ways. Misinformation spreads as quickly as facts, and online platforms can fuel hate speech and violence, whether in the UK or the DRC. The ability to track, record, and manipulate through smartphones has also raised concerns about surveillance and the loss of privacy.

On 17 September 2024, we observed this in Lebanon, where pager attacks targeting Hezbollah have deepened mistrust among the Lebanese population and heightened social anxiety. In the months leading up to these attacks, Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah had warned that smartphones were being used as surveillance tools by Israel, prompting Hezbollah commanders to abandon smartphones in favour of pagers.

Implications for Policy and Research

The rise of smartphones has significant consequences for policymakers and academics alike. It requires a shift in thinking, recognizing that these devices are not just means of communication, but integral parts of modern conflicts. To address the challenges posed by this new digital reality, there needs to be a deeper understanding of the link between smartphones and global crises.

For governments and international organizations, this means adapting policies to better regulate digital tools in crisis settings. For scholars, the widespread influence of smartphones suggests a need for more interdisciplinary research. These devices affect international relations, conflict studies, media analysis, and more. The smartphone, in its many roles, must be examined as part of the broader landscape of global crises.

Conclusion

The smartphone, once seen as a simple communication device, is now a key player in shaping how crises unfold across the globe. From speeding up the spread of information to connecting people far and wide, these devices have redefined how we experience global events. As billions of people hold this technology in their hands, the way we understand, react to, and engage with crises has fundamentally changed.

_{Featured image by Marwan Ahmed via Unsplash.}