The Role of Social Media in Japan during Natural Disasters

A devastating earthquake hit northeastern Japan followed by a major tsunami on March 11 and a nuclear crisis. Many people in the coastal areas lost their lives. During and following these catastrophic events, people used Facebook and Twitter to locate their family and friends. This talk will review those information technologies that worked and those that did not work as well as how people used social media in creative ways following the disasters. Finally, we will consider regulatory changes and technical innovations that might foster more effective implementation of social media during future times of crisis.

Refreshments will be provided.

Co-sponsored by The Yale Information Society Project, Asia Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), Student Representatives, and the Office of Student Affairs