WORLD / America
Facebook becomes bulletin board for Virginia Tech
(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-04-18 05:58
WASHINGTON - "I'm ok at VT" on the Internet social network Facebook has
become an online bulletin board for Virginia Tech university students to
post their whereabouts and condition after the campus shooting that
killed 32 people.
Virginia Tech students stand arm in arm as they overlook a memorial on
the university's campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, April 17, 2007. [Reuters]
Some 236 groups related to Virginia Tech have been set up on Facebook, a
sign that Internet social networks are beginning to replace e-mail and
cell phones as the preferred method for spreading information quickly
among younger generations.
The "I'm ok at VT" group included a list of those killed as well as
details about the condition of others injured.
One student asked about whereabouts of her friend in a posting on Tuesday
morning. "She sits beside me in my Abnormal Psychology class and I really
want to know if she is ok," said Victoria Borkey.
A message posted shortly afterward said the person had been one of the
shooting fatalities and called for prayers for her family.
Another Facebook member, Andy Millman, pleaded with members of the group
to only post information if they are "absolutely positive" about a
person's condition, noting one of his friends was inaccurately described
as OK.
Other students set up a Web site, www.vtincident.com, as one outlet to
discuss the shooting. Police identified Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old
Virginia Tech student from South Korea who was a legal U.S. resident, as
the shooter.
On Facebook, some students have posted a black ribbon with the university
logo "VT" over it to commemorate the victims, replacing their own profile
photo, and spread invitations to attend a candlelight vigil on Tuesday
evening.
One student on the Virginia Tech campus formed "Christians Praying for
Virginia Tech" and attracted 1,378 members. "Canada Supports Virginia
Tech" drew 309 participants. Another Canadian led group drew in 5,200. "A
Tribute from Muslim Students," created by a Loyola Chicago student,
attracted 32 members.
Another group included repeated slurs against Asians, but members flooded
it with messages calling for its removal.
The shift to the Internet came as cell phone networks were stressed
during the crisis. Verizon Wireless, the second-biggest U.S. wireless
carrier, said it saw four times normal call volume, peaking around
midday, hours after the shooting.
In addition to posting notices and cell phone calls, students turned to
instant messaging to spread information.
Virginia Tech student body president Adeel Khan said leaders on campus
convened an online chat immediately after the shootings to discuss what
to do for the shocked university community.
"Every student leader on campus was chatting about what we need to do to
start the healing process," he told CNN. "We've mobilized hundreds of
students to plan a candlelight vigil for tonight."
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