Online tools can help people in disasters, but do they represent everyone?

Authors

Billy Tusker Haworth, University of Manchester
Christine Eriksen, University of WollongongFollow
Scott J. McKinnon, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

136117

Publication Details

Haworth, B. Tusker., Eriksen, C. & McKinnon, S. J. (2019). Online tools can help people in disasters, but do they represent everyone?. The Conversation, 30 May 1-3.

Abstract

With natural hazard and climate-related disasters on the rise, online tools such as crowdsourced mapping and social media can help people understand and respond to a crisis. They enable people to share their location and contribute information. But are these tools useful for everyone, or are some people marginalised? It is vital these tools include information provided from all sections of a community at risk. Current evidence suggests that is not always the case.