Social media changes how we respond to tragic events

MILWAUKEE -- Social media has certainly changed how we respond to events like the Colorado shooting. It often gives us up-to-the-minute-information -- and certainly has given breaking news a very personal perspective.

Aspiring sports reporter Jessica Ghawi was killing in the deadly shooting in Colorado. She also went by the name Jessica Redfield. She was on Twitter right before the massacre. She tweeted, "Movie doesn't start for 20 minutes."

And here's another one -- "Never thought I'd have to coerce a guy into seeing the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises with me."

Reading those comments was heartbreaking for many.

"It was 20 minutes later, the movie started, and within a few minutes after that, she was gone. All of that was uncovered on social media, and it was a haunting read," Tom Snyder of Trivera Interactive said.

Facebook wasn't quiet either.

Mequon native Carey Rottman, who was injured during the incident, posted this comment on Facebook: "Shot in the leg at Batman, where is he when you need him. Please pray for everyone there."

Social media has evolved over the years. That's a trend social media expert Tom Snyder expects to continue.

"Years ago, when people would see something cool, exciting, scary, sad, they would immediately say 'Oh, my gosh.' Now, it's 'oh my gosh, I gotta tweet this,'" Snyder said.

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