Thursday, September 10, 2009
Facebook used for distress calls instead of the police
On Monday the 7th, two Australian girls, ages 10 and 12, got lost in a storm drain. Instead of calling the police, however, the girls updated their Facebook statuses with their calls for help. Luckily, a friend saw their message and the girls were rescued, but the Australian authorities are worried about the girls' preference for calling for help via a social network. This isn't the first time something like this has happened either. In May, a man found a woman in distress and posted it on Twitter because he was worried his phone might die. Also a U.S. citizen was arrested in Egypt last year and called for help via Twitter. The incident in Australia actually coincides with a new campaign for The Safe America Foundation, which is working with the government to encourage the use of different means of communication (i.e. Facebook and Twitter) in emergencies where other types of communication might be impossible. So, is using these networking sites in emergencies useful? Or is our dependence on these sites getting just a little ridiculous?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
I think this is a little bit absurd. Yes, having you're emergency posted for the world to see will definitely catch attention. However, when there is a serious emergency what can anyone do besides call the police- the trained authorities! Why wait for your "friend" to read your status and call when you could just as easily do it yourself? Now, if you were in an emergency and your iphone lost service but just happen to be picking up the wifi from next door, then yes, by all means update your facebook status. Obviously there are exceptions, but generally I think it is common knowledge to contact the people who could, you know, save your life.
I think that our dependable on digital sources is crazy. As Natalie said, if it your only option, then I can understand it. I find it fascinating how much people use their Facebook or Myspace pages now. I admit that I recently got drawn into the Facebook craze. I check it a couple times a week and it is entertaining. However, I would never think to post on Facebook for help. I have to wonder what was going through their minds.
This situation is slightly disturbing. Why was Facebook used as an SOS instead of calling the police? Generally when you are in trouble, your parents taught you to call 911, not Facebook or Tweet that you were in trouble. I think that they should have called the police because what would have happened if nobody saw their Facebook in time? I agree with Natalie that if you lose service and somehow are able to connect to the internet, then by all means Tweet away. However, I do not think we should come to rely on this social networks for contacting in an emergency. It is just safer to call the police knowing that they are trained professionals who know what they are doing. Parents and authorities need to enforce the use of 911 for emergencies.
This is an extreme example of how the media has infiltrated every part of our lives. It is interesting to consider which would be faster, to call 911 or to post an emergency via Facebook status. An experiment of this scenario would most definitely yield interesting results. However, 911 in my opinion is the obvious wiser choice. While the Internet is global, friends aren't conveniently located in every area to help those who find themselves in emergencies. Plus, 911 is direct voice to voice contact which can be more helpful in times of distress. All in all I think it says something about our culture that we think to seek Facebook as our rescuer as opposed to 911 emergency contact.
Ya, so personally, I think its kinda stupid to post anything like that via facebook or twitter. Seriously, c'mon. I see how people might find it helpful or useful but posting these things on a public site could easily add to the problem. It could give some other predator a chance to add on to a crime and have a good cover for it. Use your phones and dial those three easy to remember numbers if there's an emergency....911
I've actually read this article on a few sites. One side of me thinks that the girls made a very stupid decision. They're lucky it paid off. Another side of me is very thankful for sites such as facebook. Mass Media has become a way to save lives and help people in distress. And with all of the people that are on facebook all the time, it was a fast and easy way to help the girls get rescued. I know it was not the intent of the creators of facebook, but consumers have transformed the way we use social networking sites. Who knows what else facebook might do for us in the future.
Wha?! I think this proves how utterly ridiculous our dependency on technology is becoming. People make dumb decisions in crisis situations, but I don't think that refusing to call the police is excusable. I would have a hard time believing someone's Facebook status even if it were a true cry for help. I do hope the authorities firmly communicated the importance of notifying a direct source when in any sort of emergency.
Wow, what people post as on social networks now is crazy. If you're in trouble, why don't you just get in direct contact with the people you need to talk to instead hoping someone will see your status?
One thing I have noticed on facebook lately is people like to post their problems on there to tell the whole world. Lately it has gotten so annoying.
What are the chances of someone actually responding to a facebook status or a twitter post? I think very slim. The are times when people post a crisis only to be exaggerating, not to be serious. Who would know that you are actually in trouble, unless you call 911? If i was in danger or a crisis, I know who to call. I would definitely not post a new status and hope that someone with enough sense will realize that I am in danger and need help ASAP. There are times when facebook and twitter do not even work properly. I think that society should stick to the old forms for calling for help...good ole 911!
I agree with everyone. That is just ridiculous. If the girls were really concerned with their safety, they should have used the technology at hand to call 911. This was probably just a cry for attention.
I think this is incredible, I love the fact that we have so many ways of communicating and staying in touch without being over invasive!
Post a Comment