Social media is often judged harshly. Critics claim it’s a waste of time, an opportunity to cyber stalk, a threat to personal privacy or all of the above.
Some of the complaints contain a grain of truth. But for all its blemishes, social media also has its redeeming qualities. Case in point, a post one of my old classmates shared last night: “Help Us Find Joe Sjoberg“.
Joe is a 22-year-old living in Madison, WI. He was last seen by his roommate on Monday, November 29th.
Following procedure, local police were limited in what they could immediately do. Barring evidence of a crime, or proof Joe wanted to harm himself, authorities had to give the case hours of time – waiting to see if Joe turned up on his own – before launching a full investigation and search.
Joe’s family and friends didn’t want to wait… couldn’t wait. They took the search into their own hands and took it online.
- They created a Facebook group.
- A simple website with frequent updates was launched.
- A video was releases on Youtube.
- A plea for help was posted on AskReddit.
In essence, Joe’s family launched an online Amber Alert. Soon friends of friends of acquaintances were sharing links to the Facebook group, tweeting pleas for help, offering ideas, downloading and printing flyers, providing tips and sharing information. After working on social media campaigns almost on a daily basis I knew this effort really made a statement meant to be heard and shared.
Before long the traditional press took notice of the real time PR campaign for Joe Sjoberg. Stories have run in the Daily Cardinal and the Daily Cap.
The story is sad and scary. Yet the response from these online communities is uplifting and inspiring. The speed with which social media is spreading the word is amazing.
We don’t know how the search for Joe Sjoberg will end. (We can only hope and pray it ends safely.) But thanks to Joe and his friends, we do know now, just how valuable social media can be when sharing information fast is vitally important.
My heart goes out to Joe and his family and friends.
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I posted to my Facebook…I hope they find him.
I had a friend from high school disappear like this and they found him 3 years later.
An update on Joe : http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014627271_sjoberg30m.html
Joe’s family and friends have set up funds in his name, you can find the information on their “Help Find Joe” Facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_173227499368973
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