Social media can be a force for good in a crisis: lessons from Lagos

Social media can be used to share important information in times of crisis. Hello World/Getty Images

In times of crisis, it is especially crucial that governments share accurate, up to date information with their citizens. Social media can play an important role in disseminating urgent information.

At its simplest, for instance, it allows people to mark themselves as “safe” after natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, or during terrorist attacks and insurgencies.