ABSTRACT
Social media as an emergency management tool could also contradict the universal character of crisis management by prioritising some people over others. Dealing with social media data in a responsible, ethical way requires that emergency planning managers are aware of the complexities of societal impact and broader effects such as the promotion of vigilantism and erosion of privacy. During the 2010 Haiti earthquake, social media was used to submit tagged images of the disaster as well as pictures of missing persons. A month later, in the aftermath of the Chilean earthquake, Facebook and Twitter messages were used as key tools to spread information, to show public support, and to look for missing relatives, friends and acquaintances. Constructive Technology Assessment's (CTA's) methods of socio-technical mapping, public involvement and its attempt to be involved in design practice are valid contributions to technology assessment. The United Nations has developed innovative systems to integrate information, technology and emergency management.
