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Internet Becomes Support Tool after Virginia Tech Massacre

After the horrific massacre of 32 students and faculty members by a crazed, lone gunman at Virginia Tech last week, the internet has become a lifeline form many family members, friends and fellow students. Within minutes of the shooting, support groups had been created to try and bring up to date and relevant information to many who were still in the dark among the chaos that prevailed after the killings.

Regular communication lines such as cellular phones were not working and desperate family members used the internet to connect with their loved ones. Chat rooms and instant messaging served as a vital tool to let students know what was happening in real time and reassuring worried parents and siblings. When the names and identities of the victims slowly became known, sites such as Facebook.com began to see hundreds of new groups being created that are related to the tragedy.

Groups are dedicated to victims and also serve as an outlet for the frustration, anger and sorrow of members. One Facebook group already has nearly 30,000 new members who signed up this week. Some family members of victims found another way to mourn. They started circulating emails about their loved ones on the internet, describing their personalities and attaching photographs. In this way, they may feel that they are keeping the memory of the victim alive, and letting the world know about their terrible loss.