When gunfire erupted on Brown University’s campus in December, many students first learned about it via social media rather than official channels. This highlights a significant gap in crisis communication.
In response to the tragedy, Yik Yak and Sidechat—two popular anonymous apps among college students—have rolled out a new safety feature. This aims to prioritize verified information during emergencies. Kyle Venn, the CEO, noted that during the shooting, the company struggled to provide timely, official updates. They relied heavily on student posts. “We had to depend on the community,” he said, acknowledging the chaos of the moment.
The shooting occurred on December 13, leading to two fatalities and injuries to nine others. The suspected gunman, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, was later found deceased. In the aftermath, the local police chief was put on leave, while the search for motivations behind the attacks continues.
Venn mentioned that their company’s new feature allows moderators to pin critical updates at the top of feeds. This aims to ensure that students receive accurate information quickly. During the initial moments of the shooting, first posts appeared at 4:06 PM—just minutes after chaos erupted. One early post asked, “Why are people running away from B and H?” Another urgently warned classmates to avoid certain areas due to the shooting.
Interestingly, research shows that social media often plays a crucial role in how information spreads during emergencies. A recent study found that 88% of people rely on social media for breaking news. This trend places platforms like Yik Yak and Sidechat in a unique position. They must balance between fostering open communication and ensuring the information shared is credible.
What’s essential in these moments is the speed of verification. Venn explained that moderators can confirm posts in about 42 seconds on average. However, during fast-moving crises, they initially opted not to aggressively filter content to avoid missing early warnings. Instead, they elevated posts from reliable sources. This community-driven fact-checking helped provide students with the necessary support until official alerts were released.
Reflecting on the incident, Venn acknowledged that their team is working to enhance how they assist users in emergencies. “We want to be more useful in the future,” he emphasized. With the recent feature rollout, students can now receive timely updates that could potentially save lives.
As digital communication continues to evolve, the challenge remains: how do we ensure that critical information reaches those who need it most? Balancing speed and accuracy will be vital in the ongoing effort to keep students safe during crises.
For more on how social media impacts emergency communications, you can explore this report by the Pew Research Center.
