Remember ICQ? that “uh-oh” sound every time a message was received, and then MSN Messenger and MySpace...who would have ever thought that social media would be where it is today. It had started as a means of communication for recreation, and has turned into a necessary part of life in the 21st century.
Due to development of the internet and the increase of social media networks, loved ones are being connected. The terrible earthquake that just recently happened in Japan has separated many families and friends, sending many missing. The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo sent a message to the U.S. citizens in Japan this past Friday, instructing “to continue your efforts to be in contact with your loved one(s) using SMS texting and other social media (e.g., FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, etc.) that your loved one(s) may use.” As well, the Americans in Japan has been directed to make use of of any other available online services including the Google Person Finder and the Red Cross’s Family Links website in order to make their whereabouts and conditions known.
According to Tweet-o-Meter, less than an hour after the earthquake, the number of tweets from Tokyo topped 1,200 per minute. As well, Facebook created a page to illustrate status updates related to the earthquake. Check out the Facebook stories page for stories of loved ones connecting.
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