JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- Social media played a big role as details emerged about the tragic shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.
The images are hard to look away from as young children were visibly shaken, scared and running for their parents. As many watched it unfold on television, others watched it unfold online. "It's a lot faster than having to wait," said Sonya Dyess with Gielow Marketing and PR.
Dyess spent all day watching new details emerge every second on Facebook and Twitter. "Everything from the naming of the wrong person to now the correct name, to the number of times it fluctuated with how many people were lost was all being reported through social media," said Dyess.
Dyess says social media is a way for people to connect with others. In many cases, strangers they may not even know. "I was having a conversation with people I didn't even know because of this tragedy," said Dyess. "I think it's an outlet to say we're sorry, our hearts bleed for you and this is the way I'm expressing my anger."
People from all over are leaving their thoughts for the families in Connecticut. Even on Action News' Facebook page, people said they're "sick to their stomach." While we struggle to understand why, Dyess says people will turn to the Internet for comfort and a way to talk each other through this tragedy.
"It's the way people communicate. It plays a role in the things we do in our day to day lives," said Dyess.
Several Facebook pages were set up to honor the victims of this tragedy. We want to know how you're honoring them. Leave your comments here or on our Facebook page, actionnewsjax.com
