Social Media Digest highlights interesting social media trends and is sponsored by the digital marketing communications consultancy and video productions firm Jazz Arts & Communications, written by digital marketing communications consultant Sarah Fenwick. Click here to contact us for your digital marketing advice.

Social media sites Facebook and Twitter were instrumental in spreading the news of the Paris and Beirut terrorist attacks in which almost 200 unarmed people were killed when suicide bombers opened fire. Facebook activated its global crisis system so that people in France could mark themselves safe and their friends would know they were okay. Twitter was the fastest way to get updated information from credible news and journalistic sources.

Just how much more powerful would social media be in the fight against terrorism if the authorities increased their communications presence and used it to send photos of terrorist suspects and safety alerts? The media is usually standing ready to pass on wanted photos and social media is incredibly powerful for networking and finding people, even those who want to hide their criminal activities. How many more violent criminal terrorist would be caught before they had a chance to attack unarmed people if the authorities were able to communicate more effectively via social media?

How many terrorists hiding amongst genuine refugees fleeing to Europe would be caught if video content uploaded to social media was accurately located and monitored? This is not a question of big government interfering with the freedom of the Internet, but of survival of the species - the terrorists are becoming more united (ISIS operates in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and Nigeria) and globalised by the day, as the Paris and Beirut attacks illustrate. The Internet and social media can be used for good if their unparalleled networking systems lead to terrorist communications and suspects.

A final thought - our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by terrorism around the world, may they keep their courage in the face of the fear those sociopaths put in their way, and overcome the evil of violence with peace.