A lot has been said this part week on the impact the social media has had on the shocking scenes in London and other parts of England. Today UK Prime Minister David Cameron made a statement in Parliament which will see the Government consider the role that social media has had in organizing the riots and violence which has spread over these various city’s.
The Prime Minister who returned to Downing Street early from his holiday in Italy this week, after the rioting and violence worsened said:
“Mr Speaker, everyone watching these horrific actions will be stuck by how they were organised via social media. Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill. And when people are using social media for violence we need to stop them. So we are working with the Police, the intelligence services and industry to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality.”
It has also been announced that Theresa May the Home Secretary in the UK would be meeting with some of the various social media outlets that have been used including Twitter, Facebook and Blackberry makes ( RIM ) to discuss their responsibilities in this week’s events.
Should these social media sites be closed during events like these?
Matthew Marley
360innovate
