Week 12: 🚨 Crowd Sourcing in Times of Crisis
How Social Media Helps Communities During Emergencies
Regardless of whether it is a natural disaster, a pandemic, a flood, or a public emergency, with the help of social media information can rapidly spread when a crisis happens. Besides helping in many ways and being used regularly for communications, social networking sites also work as a significant channel for human solidarity. One of the most potent ways of people helping each other during such moments is through the technique of crowdsourcing.
What is Crowdsourcing?
The term crowdsourcing refers to collecting information ideas resources, or assistance from a large group of people, most often via internet-based platforms. Instead of depending solely on governments or media organisations, ordinary people can contribute crucial information in real time.
Crowdsourcing During Crises
Social media sites like Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram give the users possibilities to:
Update the public about disaster-stricken areas.
Inform about blocked roads and dangers.
Trace the whereabouts of missing people.
Coordinate relief and donation activities.
Distribute emergency information.
People regularly share pictures, videos, and whereabouts during floods and quakes, which not only aid the community but also the rescue teams by giving them a better understanding of what is going on.
Benefits of Crowdsourcing
Here are just some of the advantages:
Rapid flow of information.
Encourages cooperation and support in the community.
Fosters greater involvement from the public.
Helps the work of the authorities in pinpointing the most critical issues.
Challenges
Even though crowdsourcing is a beneficial practice, it is not without its risks. Wrong information, hoaxes, and unchecked accounts can easily be disseminated and cause chaos during emergency situations. So it is always a good idea for digital citizens to double-check the accuracy of information before forwarding it to others.
Digital Citizenship Matters
Being a responsible digital citizen is a great way to help the society during a crisis. It involves sharing verified information only, helping the affected people, and avoiding spreading false information. Little online actions can greatly affect the real world.
Final Thoughts
The example of crowdsourcing highlights the ability of digital communities to act together during difficult times. Thanks to social media and online platforms, people are not only able to provide help and share information, but also contribute to the recovery of the community more effectively. Yet, with great power comes great responsibility, and So, one has to be very careful when sharing information.
References
Bruns, A. (2014). Crisis communication. Peter Lang.
Palen, L., & Hughes, A. L. (2018). Social media in disaster communication. Handbook of Disaster Research, 497–518.