Social Media has a new role-The Public's Eyes & Ears for News Events
A week ago, a highly respected marathon in Boston, Mass. turned into one of the most catastrophic events in US history. People were confused, lost, injured, separated from others, and social media proved to be a big help.
Google, Facebook and Twitter immediately took over when spectators and marathon runners began grabbing their cell phones to make calls, to take video footage, shot pictures to send to social media sites and to go to the internet and find out any news.
The Google website had a special site available up almost immediately for people who were lost and for people who checked in to say they were OK. This must have been a great relief to friends and loved ones who were panicked.
Smartphones- As runners and spectators started taking footage and pictures to send to Facebook and Twitter, to share the events almost immediately after they happened. This footage helped solve the crime within days vs. typically taking weeks to months.
Texting- Texting is an immediate communication and is normally quicker than even making a phone call. When the phone lines are overrun with callers, texting still goes through. In most of the pictures seen, everyone is either talking or texting on their phones.
Local law enforcement and federal agencies started asking for cell phone and video camera users to send copies to them so they could determine what happened and help identify the suspects.
Law enforcement started going through the footage, searching social media websites and viewing camera footage from businesses and intersections.
Law Enforcement decided to release the photos of the two suspects and within 37 minutes later, people started calling in as they recognized them. This was amazing and a very smart move on behalf of law enforcement as they wait and listen instead.
GPS- A man was carjacked, but his cell phone was left in the backseat of the car with GPS capabilities so law enforcement located the vehicle almost immediately.
Public Loudspeaker-While watching television for the next few days, we started hearing comments like “Boston PD just tweeted that ………”, “DEA just tweeted……” No matter what channel you were watching, viewers started hearing about how social media was assisting the public and law enforcement.
Getting up to the minute updates from the internet was available and millions knew what had just occurred. Thousands of sites had video footage and photos
Digital Fingerprints-This can be a positive or negative situation as several cell phone users wrongly identified people as possible suspects so unfortunately wrong information will show up for years and years. It is important to make sure you have the facts before publishing photos and accusations.
Social Media is mostly for Happy Events- Unfortunately this was a horrible event and I am glad to report that most social media websites are usually full of happy events; parties, weddings, eating out, sporting events, school events, on a trip, baby pictures, etc. It is a quick way to send a photo out telling all your friends that this exciting event just occurred in your life.
But even in negative situations, a cell phone is a way to call 9-1-1, a rescue from the mountains, an earthquake, a fire, a stranded motorist, and clearly you have a better chance of receiving help faster than before.
Statistics show over 85% of people in the US own a cell phone and over 40% are smart phones. Availability and lower rates are a big reason for the popularity and necessity. Who would want to be without a cell phone nowadays?
Social Media, Cell Phones, and the internet have shown to be a great tool for the public and law enforcement and hundreds of thousands of social bloggers are out there to get the facts out for the public. Sites like ActiveRain, LinkedIn and Wordpress are a great way to network with other bloggers and the public.
Clearly the roles of social media have changed and never will they go back the way they were. Today they are the eyes and ears of the sportscasters, the news media stations and the law enforcement. Most of us would never think of going out without our cell phone or iPad.
Kristin Hamilton DRE #014092138 Keller Williams Realty – I am a full time agent and deal in all types of real estate transactions. Trusts, Probate, Short Sales, Standard Listing, Single Family Homes, Apartments 1-4 units, Duplexes and Condos. I am also an experienced REO agent. I sell real estate in the Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties. I am a trained and experienced Short Sale agent. If you are looking for a professional and experienced agent, I am just a click away. Google me at Kristin Hamilton-Real Estate Agent. Homeowners and Buyers both will find my services top notch and successful. Call me to sell your home; both traditional and short sales.
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Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Kristin Hamilton and may not be used without the expressed written permission.
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