Haiti Tragedy Cements the Role of Social Media As a Powerful Social Tool

As Haiti shook with the impact of an earthquake measuring 7.0 in the Richter scale, the world around it shook with the impact of Social Media, which woke up billions of users around the world to the tragedy unfolding in this small island nation and compelling virtual strangers to step up and help it in its crisis.

This "tool" became an aid for assessing the damage on ground and co-coordinating rescue and relief operation. Facebook, YouTube and Twitter became the eyes and the ears of the world for this poor nation that was brought to the forefront through social media Pole Assassin. As one person noted online, "we might have done more in New Orleans if Katrina had happened today."

Within minutes of the earthquake in Haiti, with telephone lines down and mobile networks jammed, Facebook and Twitter became the only platform of communication between many. Messages started to flood in with family members assuring those abroad that they were safe; messages that cried out for help giving details of ground realities; messages that directed aid to the most badly hit areas, and for many it was the only lifeline to this damaged country.

With millions and millions of users clamoring to help, social media again stepped in. Twitter users were flooded with information on how to donate to aid agencies like Red Cross and Oxfam via tweets or text messages. Information spread like wildfire through networks and connections reaching out to the remotest corners of the world bringing in much needed help. Collections have gone beyond millions. Even if each user donated only $1 on average, a user base that reaches billions will ensure that at least a billion dollar is collected, if not more.

And help came in so many unlikely forms. Farmville, a third party game that uses the social networking platform of Facebook launched a fund raising drive by asking gamers to "buy" a special crop with money. Red Cross and other agencies, vetted through third party official organizations, used Twitter and Facebook to spread the word on how to donate - i.e. via mobile text messaging etc. Celebrities who have huge followings on the social media networks reached out with a single click to mobilize their millions strong fan base to Haiti's support. Till date it and other similar ventures have already collected a substantial donation apart from the main fundraising drives.

It is said that tragedy often brings out the true courage in men. Well it surely has given social media a new purpose, a definite role to play in our society. While conventional media attention may fade away with time, tweeps, bloggers and Facebook users who are reaching out now will continue to follow the progress of this rescue and rebuilding operation in Haiti through the social media.

For a long time, pundits have bickered over the pros and cons of social media. From alarm to inevitability, it has seen a progression in acceptance. But it has never been seen as a tool as strong in its values and sense of responsibility as the society itself. Its use and response in the face of the Haiti tragedy has for the first time shown the strength and the potential of this media to the world.

Looking back, we can see that the seed of this new role and strength of social media was already planted years before. What started with users like teenagers and tech geeks, saw a definite shift in the trend to more and more varied and older people. It was evolving into a way to keep in touch for those who cannot move around in a physical society - grandparents and old relatives, disabled persons or other home bound people.

What it has built is a virtual society that does not have geographical, cultural, or any other boundaries. If the world seemed small yesterday, it's now virtually next door. And as social media strengthens its hold and shows its presence in our life, new expectations arise out of it.

In smaller doses then Haiti, social media is taking up arms against issues all over the world as we speak. It has given us the means and is showing us the way to do much more for our world. Can this same force now be mobilized to move the world against issues like global warming and war? Whatever the future may be, social media may have changed the way we will respond to it for sure.

Terri Brooks has a passion for sharing incredible information. She loves communicating the latest tips and resources to help you build an outrageously successful online business!