Ride the Lightning

Belgian Officials Urge People to Use Social Media After Bombings

March 23, 2016

Yesterday was quite a day. I knew it was bad when Matt Lauer was on at 6 a.m. with everyone else from Today.

The Brussels bombings left cellphone networks strained, causing officials to advise the public to use social networks to communicate with friends and loved ones. They also advised against streaming audio or video to avoid overloading the local Internet.

The #1 usage of social media appeared to be Facebook's Safety Check – the site for the Brussels bombings is here: https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/brusselsexplosions-march2016/

I was relieved to see that none of my Facebook friends was in the affected area, but my heart goes out to those who have been killed or injured (and their families) in these latest senseless acts of terrorism.

And thank you Facebook, for giving us a way to communicate and check on the safety of those we care about. I don't often thank you, but Safety Check is a great public service.

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