In today’s digital world, social media has become the centerpiece of communication. As of April 2024, 62.6% of the world’s population are social media users. Gone are the days of learning about current events through newspapers or television, almost everyone uses social media to keep up with the latest trends and news worldwide. The real-time exchange of information makes social media an invaluable tool for various types of communication, especially during emergencies. Emergencies require quick responses, and up-to-date information is valuable for preserving people's lives and safety. Social media platforms provide a space for the instant dissemination of information, ranging from natural disasters and public health crises to security threats and emergencies. Social media allows people to learn about crisis and disaster events as they unfold. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X enable the rapid dissemination of official announcements from government offices, news updates, and real-time developments posted by the general public. During natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes, both authorities and the populace can quickly share information about the disaster, evacuation routes, and safety measures by posting and uploading on social media. This real-time communication helps keep the public informed and is crucial for ensuring public safety. The global reach of social media and its broad audience are another important feature during disastrous events. Since social media transcends geographical boundaries, both the affected and indirectly affected residents such as family and friends living elsewhere are updated in real-time. Individuals share firsthand accounts, photos, and videos that are valuable in providing awareness to everyone. User-generated posts help identify issues like damaged infrastructure, power outages, blocked roads, or flooded areas, aiding authorities in prioritizing response efforts for those affected. This collective sharing of information on social media platforms helps facilitate the allocation of resources and provides a more comprehensive view of the ongoing crisis. Beyond information dissemination, social media is invaluable in coordinating and mobilizing volunteer efforts. Social media helps organize relief efforts and donations from the general public. People offer help, share resources, and provide emotional support to those affected. This rapid mobilization enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of response efforts, as both the authorities and the public are well-informed. Furthermore, social media campaigns can highlight specific needs, such as medical supplies or food, ensuring targeted and timely support. This collective action fosters a sense of community, empowering individuals to contribute meaningfully to disaster relief. Social media is an indispensable tool in crisis and disaster communication. Its real-time information dissemination, crowdsourced data, and mobilization capabilities greatly help everyone communicate effectively during crises, ultimately saving lives. Additionally, social media platforms serve as a hub for accurate information, helping to counteract misinformation and rumors that can spread during emergencies. By providing a reliable source of updates and resources, social media helps maintain public trust and ensures coordinated efforts in response to disasters.

Social media has revolutionized communication during disaster management by providing a platform for efficient information sharing. Traditional media outlets which operate on fixed schedules like radio, television, and newspapers, could not match the speed at which social media disseminates information. In this modern era, social media has become vital in crisis management, as exemplified by its role during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a health crisis where people were physically separated, many turned to social media for connection, information, and guidance. Timely, accurate, and accessible information was crucial during the global pandemic, making social media the primary tool for managing communication and response efforts. Governments, health organizations, and news outlets utilize social media to share the latest updates and public health guidelines. The World Health Organization, for example, provided daily updates about the virus's spread and necessary precautions using platforms such as Facebook and X. This rapid information sharing helped keep the public informed. Additionally, individuals shared their experiences during the pandemic, offering insights into the virus’s impact on communities. Personal stories posted on social media contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of the pandemic, including posts about symptoms experienced before testing positive for the virus. The accessibility and speed of social media enabled people to receive lifesaving information quickly. A significant challenge during this health crisis was the spread of misinformation. False claims about the virus and vaccines created confusion and fear. However, social media also served as a tool to combat misinformation. Organizations and government agencies actively use social media to provide factual information and debunk myths. Social media companies like Facebook and X implemented measures to remove misleading content about COVID-19 and partnered with health organizations to ensure people received accurate information. In addition to disseminating health information, social media became a platform for people to seek support and relief, offering a space for individuals to share experiences, seek assistance, and connect with others facing similar challenges. Mental health professionals and organizations use social media to help people manage their mental well-being during the global crisis. Social media’s ability to provide fast updates, combat misinformation, and offer a platform for support is crucial in managing current and future crises, whether health emergencies or other global challenges. Its impact on communication during the COVID-19 pandemic has been profound. While challenges such as the spread of fake news remain, the overall benefits of social media in disaster and crisis communication are undeniable. In today’s modern world, tools like social media are essential for helping the public respond to future crises.

Social media has become an important communication tool during crises and disasters. It delivers opportunities for disseminating immediate information, community coordination and cooperation, and engagement within the community. Social media platforms play a role in communication between individuals regarding social media in ensuring that individuals receive quick information and where to find help. Coordination between the organization and community was significant as it helped the needs of rescue and support for people who suffered when crises occurred. A key benefit of social media usage in crises is the speed at which the information can be disseminated to individuals needing help. According to the OECD (2011), Social media allows organizations to post updates to the public in real-time to ensure that the information reaches audiences in affected areas quickly. Precise and quick information can save lives by alleviating panic and leading people away from critical situations to safe locations. Natural disasters like floods serve as an example of providing accurate time updates to the community about the current situation of evacuation centers and shelter locations, which can be shared on different social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The rapid immediate response to disaster not only helps in saving lives but also in coordination with the rescuers more effectively. For the most part, social media plays an important part in terms of enhancing coordination with stakeholders that are involved in disaster response. The NIST (2022) report emphasizes that organizing rescue and delivering aid from emergency responders, governmental agencies, and NGOs allows the use of social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp as they foster coordination and share real-time updates, ensuring the help is quickly deployed to locations that are most needed. The information sharing of common platforms in social media helps the efforts and supply aid, making the overall response more efficient. Social media platforms allow communities to gather and assist each other in times of crisis. According to Magones (2024), social media platforms have changed disaster control in terms of collecting immediate information and disseminating messages. Social media enables the communities to share their experiences and provide local resources. These were noticeable during the 2010 Haiti earthquake, where platforms were used to create fundraising, and organizing volunteer actions.Overall, social media is significantly important when individuals from the community take the initiative in disaster response, helping the whole community to recover from natural disasters. Social media has changed in times of crisis and disaster communication in the digital era as it serves as an important tool to share rapid information, enhance coordination, and engage in community aid. With the help of social media and addressing the challenges, the individuals of the community can improve and share their resiliency when facing crises. In conclusion, the role of social media in terms of disaster communication is likely to improve to a more crucial and needs constant growth.