Social Media A Force for Good – The Boston Bombings

Facebook and Twitter were swamped with messages, posts, status updates and pictures of the Boston bombings. That was how I, and millions of others were exposed to the two blasts that scarred the legendary Boston marathon forever.

The whole world then turned to social media to get instant updates on the tragedy. With all the pandemonium that surrounded an incident of this magnitude, it wasn't a fatal fault that the media misinformed the public on various aspects of the bombings. Twitter and Facebook were flooded with exaggerated and absurd posts. But, are we ignoring the bigger picture here?

As a social media advocate, I am forced to point out to you that the glaringly obvious “bigger picture” is indeed being overlooked. I consider social media a separate entity independent of the people who use it. It is a force for good that has been proving its worth time and again, especially during difficult times like the Boston bombings. To think about what could have happened if social media did not exist is plain scary, and I hope the criticism would cease.

Because,

It was social media that informed.

It was social media that connected families.

It was social media that created a support group.

It was social media that helped in identifying the suspects.

It was social media that made it easier to overcome the tragedy. But ironically, it is the same social media that is still being blamed for the mistakes of few ignorant people!

There is always a flip side to everything. It ultimately depends on whether or not you would see a glass half full or half empty. I agree that there were irreparable damages, but the benefits certainly outweighed it. I just hope that social media eventually gets the credit it duly deserves.

Yours truly,
A social media advocate