The Undeniable Communicative Power of Social Media

Posted by Laura Williams on Aug 11, 2011 in Social Media | 0 comments

This week we have seen some awful scenes of mindless violence and rioting across the country, at the start of this week it was reported that social media such as twitter and blackberry messenger were utilised for the organisation of the riots. However, is social media really to blame for the rioting?

Social media, like every other form of modern communication, is a quick and convenient way of interacting with large numbers of people at once whilst sharing similar interests.  The fact that this communication was used by certain individuals to add a degree of coordination to the rioting, should this reflect badly on social media?

In the days following the riots we have seen the mass communication power that social media has, except now being used in a positive way. This week accounts such as @RiotCleanUp were set up on twitter by communities to organise helping clean up the streets of London this is a case of social media helping good to overcome evil. As the violence spread more of these accounts were set up to help local communities such as; @RiotCleanUpBrum @RiotCleanUpManc and @RiotCleanUpWolv. These accounts not only helped physically clean up but also provided a moral boost and a sense of community spirit.

Not only that but it could be argued that the riots would have occurred with or without the use of social media.  However, would the clean ups and online excellent community support have done the same?

The power of these channels has continued through the introduction of websites such as; somethingniceforashraf.tumblr.com and www.pledgebank.com/RebuildReeves which have been set up to raise money to help the victims of these crimes.

It is clear from the actions of this week that whether used positively or negatively, social media is an extremely powerful communicative tool which can not be ignored!

Follow the above accounts on twitter to see if you can help with the clean up.