Over the past decade, Social Media has been slowly replacing newspapers as the general population’s handheld news source.

Over two-thirds of adults in the US receive their news from a social media outlet. Social Media has connected our society by not only providing the opportunity for everyday people to communicate to the general population, but also becoming a platform for emergency responders to contact victims in states of emergency when calling is not an option. Those in a state of emergency can easily communicate and pin their location to emergency first responders and government officials — which we’ve seen with the advent of Facebook Safety Check and other tools.

During Hurricane Harvey, victims used Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to identify their location, identify any survivors with them, and document the condition of their community firsthand. And as Hurricane Irma swept through Florida, Social Media has allowed emergency responders and government officials to quickly identify and help victims.

Instagram allowed victims to document Hurricane Irma’s path more accurately than news platforms could, according to the Miami Herald. Various Instagram posts captured the height of the storm and the wrath it brought to Florida. Many were able to upload videos and photographs of exploding power lines and destruction caused by Hurricane Irma, straight from their smartphone.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BY47lGEhh0P/

This firsthand look at natural disasters allows victims to quickly be notified of the areas they should avoid if they are in seek of shelter, especially when phone lines are down.

Twitter and Facebook have also allowed hurricane responders and government officials to notify those affected of hurricane shelters, food banks, urgent care, and other beneficial resources in their area. The American Red Cross has even been using their Twitter and Facebook to actively seek out victims in search for shelter and medical attention.

Twitter and Facebook have been vital to family members of emergency victims discovering if their loved ones are safe and attract attention if they are missing. According to the Miami Herald, worried relatives of Hurricane Irma victims have

Prior to smartphones and social media, when phone lines and power were down a state of emergency those affected would be left completely in the dark. They would not be aware of the severity of the emergency or if aid was coming to their area. But now, we get instant results — just by taking a look at our phones.

There’s no argument that social media and smartphones have been vital in transforming how we communicate with each other. Many argue that these things remove of us from reality and cause us to be encased in the virtual world; however, in the event of a state of emergency like Hurricane Harvey and Irma, maybe we’re starting to see how we can use social media to do good — and even save lives.

Metter Media LLC is a Boston-based social media management company that implements community-based, localized social engagement strategies for small businesses and corporations alike. Need help with your social media? Email Lauren today.