What was considered the most deadly attack in Britain in the last decade, killing at least 22 people and leaving up to 59 people injured, the suicide bombing in Manchester this past Monday has left the world stunned. (thegardian.com)
At around 10:33 p.m., the Greater Manchester Police responded to an explosion during an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena where a lone suspect detonated an IED (improvised explosive device) in the foyer of the building right as the concert had ended. (thegardian.com)
Shortly following the attack, concerned bystanders from around the world flooded various social media outlets with their thoughts and prayers. Celebrities also joined in to voice their outrage against the senseless attack.
The attack in Manchester Monday evening is one of many that have hit various Western European cities over the past two years, with the Manchester Arena bombing being the 12th terrorist attack in Western Europe since 2015 and the worst of its kind since the 2005 London bombing, which hit the city’s transport network. (NPR.org)
Many locals have opened up their homes to help any concert-goers affected by the blast, using the hashtag #RoomForManchester and taxi drivers have waved their fees for anyone needing to get home. Blood donor centres have also received a large influx of people willing to donate blood in response to the attack.
Aside from locals offering on the ground support, many are utilizing social media outlets to not only show their solidarity in a time of crisis but to offer any help they can even if they are not physically present.
The Role of Social Media in Times of Crisis
Over the years, as the world witnessed these violent attacks unfold against innocent civilians, the role of social media in times of crisis grew. More often than not, social media seems to be a go-to medium to connect the world as they gather together to show solidarity within these shared online communities.
With widely used social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat it becomes easier to reach people on a global scale without having to leave your home. However, is online support worth anything when such attacks are unfolding around the world?
Over the years, a sense of vigilantism within these popular social media outlets has bourgeoned, the same way governmental intelligence and mass surveillance operations have mushroomed in the post 9/11 era. (Washingtonpost.com)
When asking the public for their opinions about the role social media plays, especially in times of distress, they responded by saying how “social media is a reality of today’s world. Its main consequence is that information flows faster and is more readily available to anyone”. However, “the systematic physical prevention of terrorist attacks can only be accomplished by law enforcement agencies, the military, and auxiliary security forces”, since it is impossible for social media to be used as a tool to prevent any oncoming terrorist attacks.
It is true that various social media outlets offer immediate live coverage from the scene, a first hand look into what really happened while also providing a platform for bystanders to offer their support and allowing them to stay informed.
In the public’s opinion, social media has no doubt “provided touching examples of human kindness in times of crisis”. Following the Manchester Arena bombing, people Tweeted pictures of their missing friends in hopes that the online community could garner more awareness. Facebook is also equipped with a feature that allows users to mark themselves as ‘safe’ during times of crisis.
Though it is not always possible to prevent terrorist attacks before they occur, in an increasingly interconnected world the presence of social media has definitely offered some form of solace in trying times.
*Opinions expressed by Frédéric Fabi.