Young adults in New Zealand heavily used Facebook during and after major earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 to connect with others, get information, and find a sense of community. A survey found that 91% accessed Facebook within 24 hours of the quakes, 37% within minutes, and Facebook use increased 9% overall. People used Facebook to connect with others both within and outside of New Zealand, get updates on the earthquakes, like information pages, and participate in volunteer efforts. Many felt Facebook helped alleviate isolation and provided a coping mechanism during a difficult time.

1. and the Christchurch Earthquake ThomasMead Alice Blair Danielvan Wely EngPoh JessicaMurphy

2. young adults use facebook a lot yeah, you’re guilty

3. ? how did young adults use facebook during the recent earthquakes of 2010 and 2011

4. new media technologies do not just add to culture, they transform it completely Neil Postman

5. social media was “used heavily by the authorities, media and citizens” in the Queensland floods disaster. Mark Freeman University of Wollongong

6. “twitter affords citizen journalists the possibility to break profound news stories to a global public” Dhiraj Murthy “twitter actively help[s] spread news of important world events” Wayne Xin Zhao Jing Jiang

7. most disaster research focuses on twitter so we focused on facebook

8. a qualitative approach ______________________________________ provides “a high level of measurement precision and statistical power” - Schroder an online survey wide range of responses

9. % 9 overall increase in facebook use 91 % accessed facebook within 24 hours 37 % accessed facebook almost immediately after the earthquakes

10. communication 100% 38% connected inside New Zealand contacted place of education 59% 15% 29% connected outside of New Zealand contacted local organizations contacted their workplace

11. information “connected me with all the information I needed” “being able to get instant updates on the earthquakes and aftermath was very practical and useful” 63% ‘liked’ at least one earthquake information page 49% used facebook take part of a volunteer movement

12. good feelings isolation ___________________________ “there’s a community feel on facebook” “I would of felt more alienated from others” “a coping mechanism”

13. the result? virtual community In the event of similar disaster, we recommend that organizations (from work places to response teams) have an active voice on facebook. go spread the love

14. thanks for watching!