While victims of Hurricane Katrina
may have only had Facebook to spread news, search for family members and voice
their opinions, today there are a plethora of social media outlets in which
people from any side of a disaster can use. Experts, for the most part, agree
that the heavy use of social media has positive effects although others have
pointed out social media may serve as a catalyst to spread false information
during disasters in the future. However, overwhelmingly social media has the capability
to create a positive spread of information during disasters.
Specifically,
the ability to alert family and friends about ones’ safety status has become
popularized thanks to apps like Facebooks ‘safety check-ins.’ With a click of a
button people can quickly ease their loved one’s fears. According to the
Scientific American magazine other website and popular applications are also adapting
their services to include a safety check in option. For example, google is in
the process of creating a system like this which would coincide with their google
hangouts and Gmail applications. Similarly, WhatsApp already includes a check
in option which is enhanced by their location services. Overall, the
development of these options will not only assure others of where their friends
and family is but also increase overall safety in communities around the world.
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