UK taps social media to 'rebuild' after riots

In the same way it was used to organize riots in past days, social media is being tapped to play a major role in helping the United Kingdom recover from days of rioting and looting. Over the weekend, new Twitter and Facebook accounts were created to mobilize UK residents and organize cleanup events in areas affected by the rioting. “As #riotcleanup continues around the country and funds are raised for those who have lost everything in the riots, we think there is a need to help give support to community and youth agencies around the country. As we cleanup, we also need to rebuild and look to the future of the communities we live in and love," the RiotRemedy movement said on its Facebook account and website.

It also said it has selected eight charities who either work with youth and communities or support them to help raise money so they can continue working in financially stretched times. On the other hand, another organization, “Rioting Sucks," is making T-shirts with slogans against the riots, with proceeds from shirt sales going to RiotRemedy. “All profits from @RiotingSucks t-shirts will go to @RiotRemedy. A separate article on TheNextWeb said this was an example of social media playing an integral role in rebuilding and cleanup. “While there was some talk that the Government would shut off access to social media, the talk was thankfully short lived. Now, as we’ve seen happen before, social media is playing an integral role in the community re-building and clean up efforts," it said. — LBG, GMA News