The Japanese Prime Minister is posting disaster information on Twitter

Through the web technologies we now take for granted, it is very shocking and saddening to see the graphic images of what is happening to Japan in real time. However, technology has played a very important role during this incident. In fact, Twitter has recorded a record high 1,200 tweets per minute from Japan alone on the day of the earthquake and tsunami.

Since telephone services were unstable, many opted for digital solutions to communicate during the crisis. The Japanese government is using Twitter and Facebook to report on the latest situation, and citizens are using the same platforms connect with their friends and families telling them they are safe. Google has set up a people finder site to help the Japanese people find their missing loved ones; online groups and messages from all over the world send warm wishes and love to the victims; and sites have been set up to allow people to donate to help the victims.

However, since the earthquake – and lately the radiation crisis – hoaxes have abounded on the internet, using digital tools for the wrong ends. “News” about radioactive clouds have warned people to stay indoors. Rumours saying salt’s iodine can fend off radiation caused salt to be sold out in just a day. Scam donation sites have been created to steal private data and bank details.

As ever, web technologies are merely communications tools: used properly, they can be incredibly powerful – but used for the wrong ends, they can also manipulate people in times of world crisis.