Could a tweet save your life?
People use social media for a lot of things. They log in to see pictures of the new baby, tweet about their disappointment in a reality show competition, or watch a funny clip everyone at work has been talking about.Social media is great for all of those things and, in general, can be a great tool for procrastination. However, people are now turning to social media for more important things, including emergency information. In times of crisis and emergency, social media has become a lifesaver.
The American Red Cross recently conducted a survey to explore this idea. They found that more than 60 percent of the general public relies on online news for emergency information. When it comes to communicating after an emergency, nearly one-fourth of the general public responded that they would definitely use social media to let others know that they are safe.
You can check out the survey findings here:
Along with this, the Red Cross has created a phone app, free-of-charge, that helps people during an emergency. “S.O.S. by the American Red Cross” provides real-time emergency care instructions and information to help a person stay safe. These instructions include step-by-step videos, maps, and an expansive resource guide.Social media has long been viewed as a source of entertainment or a way to stay connected with others. Now sites like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and others are recognized as reliable sources for emergency news. They are essentially lifelines for people afflicted by disasters, no matter the size, scope, or location of the disaster.
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