When a gunman shot and killed a former coworker and then was killed by cops, tweets started flooding the web just moments after 9:02 a.m. Even Mayor Bloomberg tweeted out a link to a live stream of his press conference to keep folks informed. But such instantaneous reaction to the shooting could backfire when it comes to social media.
Chris Dessi, CEO of Silverback Social, says the big danger of unfiltered twitter pictures .blasting to thousands if not millions is that it could be a shock to the system.
So many young people are the audience behind social media. And imagine the catastrophic impact if the victims families and friends first see or hear about the event in this alarming way.
Aside from pictures that may be too gruesome, social media also delivers information as a piece meal, which may lead to a lot of incorrect speculations.
From Kim Kardashion to Perez Hilton to Wall Street Journal to millions of other users, the Twitter universe was aflutter with tweets regarding Friday's shooting.
"Empire State Building" was one of the top trending subjects, meaning typing in "#empirestatebuilding" in the search box or typing "ESB" or "Empire State" leads you to streams and streams of dialogue pertaining to the tragedy.
While social media is a double edged sword, the reality is that it is here to stay. So perhaps it is best to use it honestly and wisely.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:50 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:50:15 GMT
A massive tornado devastated parts of Oklahoma on Monday. It destroyed entire neighborhoods, killing dozens of people. If you would like to help those in need, you can donate to relief organizations.
A massive tornado devastated parts of Oklahoma on Monday. It destroyed entire neighborhoods, killing dozens of people. If you would like to help those in need, you can donate to relief organizations.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:27 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:27:36 GMT
(AP Photo Sue Ogrocki)
Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of an Oklahoma City suburb Tuesday for survivors of a massive tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school.
Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of an Oklahoma City suburb Tuesday for survivors of a massive tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least nine children, and those numbers were expected to climb.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:19:47 GMT
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a new case on the intersection of religion and government in a dispute over prayers used to open public meetings.
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a new case on the intersection of religion and government in a dispute over prayers used to open public meetings.
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:53 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:53:31 GMT
Some lucky person walked into a Publix supermarket in suburban Florida over the past few days and bought a ticket now worth an estimated $590.5 million — the highest Powerball jackpot in history.
Some lucky person walked into a Publix supermarket in suburban Florida over the past few days and bought a ticket now worth an estimated $590.5 million — the highest Powerball jackpot in history.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:00:01 GMT
Witnesses in southwestern Virginia said a car drove into a crowd at a parade Saturday and hurt several people, but the nature of their injuries wasn't immediately known.
Witnesses in southwestern Virginia said a car drove into a crowd at a parade Saturday and hurt several people, but the nature of their injuries wasn't immediately known.
Lawmakers are ready to question the ousted head of the Internal Revenue Service as Congress holds its first hearing on the tougher scrutiny the IRS gave tea party and other conservative groups that applied for...
Senior Treasury officials were made aware in June 2012 that investigators were looking into complaints from tea party groups that they were being harassed by the Internal Revenue Service, a Treasury inspector general said...
Friday, May 17 2013 4:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:38:41 GMT
DOD photo
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday ordered the military to recertify all 25,000 people involved in programs designed to prevent and respond to sexual assault.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday ordered the military to recertify all 25,000 people involved in programs designed to prevent and respond to sexual assault.
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