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Social Media in the Wake of Disaster

Page history last edited by Jared Tayco 4 years, 2 months ago

Social Media in the Wake of Disaster

 

Nikki Williams

October 12, 2017

https://www.digitalethics.org/essays/social-media-wake-disaster

 

"#help#disasterstrikes"

First Impression:

Disasters such as earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruptions or any destruction-related action involves the need for help and action. In social media nowadays, I already knew about its good effects in relation to disaster risks for thanks to social media, help and first responders are just one click away, but due to fake news nowadays, sometimes it makes me ponder on what is the world coming to exactly -- it's either that they want to create a disaster or want help from recovering from such things.

Quote: 

"Regardless of procedures, policies and protocol established by governments or by news agencies themselves, private citizens should make it a habit to fact check all information, particularly in the event of a disaster or incendiary event before taking action and before passing on the information to others."

 

Reflection Proper:

Social media has always been playing an important role during disasters, as I already know from experience. Just post anything about a disaster currently being done in your neighborhood, and presto --- help is already on its way; it usually involves people sending on-the-spot information, whether it's about people needing help, situations that  must be avoided, roadblocks, flooding, construction sites on the road, and more. The point is that social media has been a big help when it comes to disasters, but in society's nowadays, where things such as "fake news" and gossip are the daily norm around life, it makes me or anyone ponder about what to do with those sort of things. See, when it comes to information, it's a two-edged sword as every creation of man goes --- it has its ups and downs; the point being is that false information such as fake terrorist attacks or upcoming natural disasters can create massive hysteria and panic among the populace, not to mention getting emergency responses and other important figures involved, and also that same information can cause anything that is worse than said information like targeting groups or certain individuals and setting others against them due to religious or racial tension, or causing infighting in a terrorist situation. So, based on this information I gathered, this give an important lesson in mind: always double-check on everything you see, and don't believe everything you see online, especially in social media --- sometimes it could be true, and sometimes it could be false; best to be vigilant at all times, be wary of all information you see and hear, and check the facts and draw your own conclusions carefully. That way, when people such as you check all information correctly, especially in such events like disasters, you people will eventually know what to do in taking action and before passing the information you saw and know to others, and also eventually not becoming suckers.

 

5 Things Learned From Article: 

 

  1. I learned about social media having an important role in the brink of natural disasters.

  2. I learned even fake news in social media is also affecting the term "natural disasters" as well; i.e. for instance, someone posts about a so-called "incoming earthquake", and then something of the following happens: either they don't believe it or worse, they panic and start to do something completely reckless like a riot or something.

  3. I learned that information, regardless of what it contains, has power, and has its effects depending on its use.

  4. I learned the importance of fact-checking and being wary of all types of broadcast information.

  5. I learned that people shouldn't believe everything what's on social media nowadays, but double-check it first and then act upon it, especially when it comes to such things like needing help due to a natural disaster or something similar to that.

 

5 Integrative Questions:

 

  1. Do you agree that social media plays important roles like in natural disasters?

  2. What's your reaction on false information on social media regarding natural disasters?

  3. Do you tend to double-check the facts about everything you see online?

  4. How do you tend to solve a problem involving one's fact-gathering of social media info?

  5. What's your suggestion or solution regarding social media and natural disasters alike?

 

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