I am just beginning to deal with and understand today’s world of communication. What comes to mind is the influence or power of the internet. My usual perspective as a parent is being careful of what you put on face book; literally, it is accessible by the whole world. I was going to use the term everyone, but recent events with Jordan has made me understand the impact a little more.
While I have begun to understand the impact of the Internet with the recent events in Japan, I can instantly access information about the Tsunami and it’s after affects, I was able to explore other perspectives other than CNN from other countries and those living over in Japan. But to be honest, it wasn’t until Jordan wrote his last blog and email that jolted me.
Two exchange students studying at Sciences Po University have recently lost their lives due to an apartment fire. One other is still in critical condition. Jordan naturally wrote about the incident in his blog, but little did he realize the impact he would have. When he first wrote about the incident, I went on a Google search to find out more information. I saw one small written report and one short video report. Both were non specific and short on details. It wasn’t he fire or smoke that directly caused their death, but it was the jump from the 5th floor apartment to escape the fire.
In Jordan’s blog, he mentioned the three students by name. The two students that died were from UC Berkeley and Sidney Australia, the other from Seattle. Due to the lack of information, or at least in English, relatives and friends in hit the Internet to find out what occurred and to verify the identities of the students. A search of their names turned up Jordan’s Blog. Over 2,000 hits in two days.
His new sense of responsibility was to be as accurate as possible. He has provided as much information as possible with links (the same ones I found) and the posted letter from the Director of Sciences Po. He has also contacted the University of California Student office in Paris and Sciences Po for statements and verification of information.
This has been a quick lesson in accountability and how what you post can have an impact on others lives.
