#EmergencyHashtags

The teacher shares with the class the definition of the word hashtag (you can use the one in the glossary):

Hashtag: a word or short phrase (consisting of written words all joined together) preceded by the hash symbol (#) that is used to label a topic in social media A freely accessible online platform that allows people to create, share and exchange ideas and text, image, audio and video content quickly on message boards read by people who follow the updates so that all communications made by users on that topic can be found quickly.

Hashtags originated on Twitter (which we now know as X) to "tag" posts. They have since been used on other social networks as well to categorize a topic being talked about. With their use there is the possibility of reaching a great many people in a very short time. This is precisely why they can be very effective during emergencies, because they give the opportunity to communicate in real time to a very large audience. 

The teacher then asks the class to provide some examples of what hashtags are and in what contexts they are commonly used. Once the responses have been collected, if it has not already emerged from the sharing, the teacher reveals to the class that hashtags can also be used during emergencies and that in these contexts they play a very important role for responders and technicians who plan the response.

At this point, it is suggested that the class consult a social media A freely accessible online platform that allows people to create, share and exchange ideas and text, image, audio and video content quickly on message boards read by people who follow the updates outlet of their choice and search for the hashtag # earthquake Sudden ground shaking resulting from movements of the earth’s crust . Once the hashtag is found, the top 10 associated hashtags should be listed.

From the guidelines provided by OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, we reflect on how hashtags are used during an emergency:

• The first standard hashtag is about the location affected by the disaster, such as #Italia or #Rome. 
• The second standard hashtag is about identifying entities in the area that are involved in the emergency. One then looks these entities up online to see how and what hashtags are being used.
• The third type of standard hashtag is for "public reporting" (#PublicRep), and is used to share information or testimonies, such as a collapsed building or a blocked road. 

The teacher divides the class into groups and comes up with 5 scenarios of emergency contexts (see attached "#EmergencyHashtags - Scenarios" below). Each group will have to create a 35-word post ready to be published on social media A freely accessible online platform that allows people to create, share and exchange ideas and text, image, audio and video content quickly on message boards read by people who follow the updates containing 3 possible hashtags, one that relates to the location, one that relates to the realities of the area, and one that relates to public reporting.

The definitions of Social Media A freely accessible online platform that allows people to create, share and exchange ideas and text, image, audio and video content quickly on message boards read by people who follow the updates , Emergency and hashtags (see glossary) are recalled by the teacher, who also reiterates to the class the importance of a correct use of hashtags in order to ensure effective communication,  essential during a disaster event.

The teacher can guide the reflection by dwelling on some incorrect uses of hashtags:

• Do not use hashtags to make personal comments that may be misleading and unrelated to reporting an event
• Do not create alarmism
• Do not spread fake news