Social Media reacts to Paris attacks

When the world goes into a mode of crisis, it is times like those when we see what we are truly made of. On Friday night, Paris, France was under a terrorist attack, led by members of the Islamic radical group, ISIS. The attacks occurred in a shop/market in downtown Paris and left 129 people dead and many more seriously injured. ISIS has been the talk of the world for the last year or so and I wonder why they keep getting more popular. The people who cause the chaos and turmoil amongst us get the most media attention and talk. I understand that in certain situations, it is necessary to have media time for issues such as ISIS and the war on terrorism. On Friday night however, the media was entirely focused on Paris.

When I say the media, I should say all forms of media. Television reporters swarmed the town, as well as journalists, civilians with cameras and social media users. If you were close to technology on Friday night, odds are that you heard about or saw the tragic events in France.

Social media took off after the reports of the attacks and it was just what social media does best. Gets the information out quickly and gets people talking. The trending hashtag, #Pray4Paris is the tag that has been used all across the world to show support the allied country. Channels such as Facebook, have made an option for users to make a filter of their profile picture by inserting the french flag colors across their image.

Other influential figures in the world took to social media as well to express their sympathy and prayers for Paris.

It is no question that social media has a grasp on our world today, but when it can show how much we care about each other and for those that are in a foreign country, it really opens your eyes to how benevolent the world can be.

The terrorist attacks on Paris are not going to be an easy wound to heal. Although, with the right support, precautionary actions and diplomatic solutions, there will be a brighter day ahead. The city of lights and its people are in a dark place, but as Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that."