In times of natural disasters, the use of social media becomes a double-edged sword. During significant hurricanes like Harvey, Imelda, Laura, and Florence in the United States, crucial safety information has often been overshadowed by other discussions. Researchers, including Jose Ramirez-Marquez from the Stevens School of Systems and Enterprises, have found that on Twitter (formerly X), discussions irrelevant to public safety, such as those about pets or political debates, occupy space needed for important updates.

Overwhelmed By Pet-Related Chatter

A study highlights that during Hurricane Harvey, 24 out of the 50 most-discussed topics on social media were about dogs affected by the floods. In stark contrast, only seven discussions focused on providing safety information to the public. Ramirez-Marquez elaborates that just like at a loud party, important safety messages struggle to be heard amidst the noise of less relevant chatter. This situation complicates the dissemination of urgent instructions and information about where help is required.

A Call for Effective Communication

To combat this imbalance, the study suggests connecting disaster impact stories with necessary safety information to capture more attention in social media channels. Focusing strictly on essential topics without being sidetracked by political discussions is recommended for authorities. Furthermore, social media platforms could play a crucial role by actively promoting and prioritizing governmental safety messages.

This research, highlighting the challenges and proposing solutions for enhancing online information dissemination during disasters, was published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. Without the collaboration of social media giants, it is clear that solving this issue remains arduous for governments alone.

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