British riots exposing social media's dark side?
As the riots in England set parts of the country burning, authorities say social media is fanning the flames, CBS News correspondent Randall Pinkston reports.
The rioting began after Mark Duggan was shot and killed by police. A memorial Facebook page quickly went up, and, 15 minutes later, there was this post:
"Please upload any pictures or video's you may have from tonight in Tottenham. Share it with people to send the message out as to why this has blown into a riot."
U.K. readies water cannons to quell riots
U.K. far right promises vigilantism in riots
British police face public anger as riots rage
It was a call to arms that has now erupted for four days. As rioters and looters took to the streets, instant messages typed on BlackBerrys began to fly among them, in effect organizing the chaos.
London riots said fueled by BlackBerry (Really?)
RIM blog hacked in warning over London unrest
"Everyone from all sides of London meet up at the heart of London (central) Oxford Circus!!" one reads.
"Bare shops are gonna get smashed up so come get some (free stuff!!!)" another reads.
It's a dark side to social media, which was praised last spring for its role in fueling the popular uprisings in Egypt and across the Middle East.
(Earlier this year, CBS' "60 Minutes" broadcast a report on the protests in Tunisia that ousted a repressive government and spread to other nations.)
How a slap sparked Tunisia's revolution
Video: Tunisia and Facebook
"60 Minutes Overtime" | A statue of Mark Zuckerberg in Tunisia?
"Generically speaking, the Arab spring and the London summer are identical," said Wired.com's John Abell. "You have disenfranchised youth using tools of the trade, things they carry in their pocket, and spontaneously erupting into one thing or another."
Special Section: Anger in the Arab World
By contrast, after riots erupted in Vancouver, Canada, following the Canucks' Stanley Cup loss in June, a reporter for CBS News' Seattle affiliate told "The Early Show" that he found a Facebook page dedicated to organizing people to clean up the city's damaged downtown area.
Vancouver "embarrassed" over post-game rioting
Vancouver post-game riots send 150 to hospitals
Angry Canadians run amok after Canucks' loss
Americans typically think of flash mobs as something unsuspecting and entertaining like groups suddenly breaking out in song or busting out dance moves in bathing suits.
Bikini flash mob is stylish and cool LA moment
Video: Janet Jackson flash mob
Wisc. protest flash mob sings "Les Miserables"
But, increasingly, Internet-organized mobs have turned ugly. A flash mob -- or flash rob as it has come to be known -- organized a group to rob a Sears store just outside Philadelphia in June.
Philly mayor tightens curfew to curb flash mobs
Philly mayor takes to pulpit to condemn teen flash mobs
Social media can even be unintentionally disruptive. A recent incident in which a Los Angeles disc jockey attempted to organize a party turned ugly when police were called in to break it up.
"Technology is amoral," said Abell. "It's agnostic to its use. It's the use that people put to it that is at issue."
Riots in the U.K.
- Dad Punishes Daughter with Free Babysitter Ad Play Video
- How to stop junk mail - forever
- Best Wheeled-Luggage for Your Budget
- Legit Work-from-Home Websites - and the Scams
- Helen Mirren named "Body of the Year" Play Video
- Best Low-Tech Cell Phones Suitable for Seniors
- Dying teen leaves touching YouTube video
- Terms to Never Use in Your Resume
social media have reported the facts
social unrest already existed in UK, the young man's death was triggering factor,
Government is also responsible
That said, using violence as a means of expression, is unacceptable
"au revoir"
Fortunately we've also taken to social media for organising clean-ups and collating images/video footage to help the authorities bring the rioters to justice. FreshNetworks has written a couple of blog posts about this which might be of interest and hopefully show the positives that social media can bring in this situation!
http://www.freshnetworks.com/blog/2011/08/twitter-bbm-social-media-londonriots/
http://www.freshnetworks.com/blog/2011/08/the-londonriots-and-social-justice/
I observed that police is avoiding to use genuine force (right at this time to some extent) on culprits and in numerous scene looters are just making joke with police ask them to run from the scene and police did(unacceptable).
I have noticed these young 'Hooders' taking the law in their Hand and hurting police officers more agressively. More police officers were injured in this law less game.
An immediate quick fix...'BAN THE WEARING OF HOODIES AND ARREST IF YOU SAW SOMEONE'!!
I could recall when veil was prohibited in some EU countries for Muslim women; the people like me accepted this as a genuine security reason and understood this philosophy easily. Because as some negative minded Muslims mullahs (the worst creature under the sky) used these veils (as tool) for their filthy motives (suicide and attack on innocent). Now open your eyes, 'Hoodies' are using as tool and it is one of prime reasons for continuous violence and now killings as well.
Don't be biased 'reason is in front of you'.....just release an order ....."NO MORE HOODIES" for the sake of innocents citizens. It will identify you the exact real scum.