Social Media Brings Us Inside Parkland, Florida Shooting

There have been 25 school shootings in the United States since the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas is one of the first that viewers could see unfold live, not only through television sets but through their smartphones. Students inside the school were taking videos and pictures as the shooting was happening.

Some of the videos show the graphic scenes that students witnessed live before they were able to be evacuated from the building. Videos from the time the shooter was active show a terrifying scene. People are hiding behind anything they can find, barricading themselves in rooms, and seeing authorities come to evacuate them when the situation is under control. Helplessness is palpable in the videos, with uncertainty, and just plain fright.

If it wasn't for smartphones capturing the scenes, getting in touch with loved ones and contacting police would've have been much different.

The Columbine shooting is one of the deadliest school shootings in the nation's history. Despite the widespread media attention, the only accounts available were via word-of-mouth and grainy security camera footage.

Technology can give a glimpse into the shooting and improve the response time of those that are within the site to protect the students.

Videos From The Scene

Snapchat was an incredible tool on Feb. 14 during the shooting. Its new Snap Maps feature became available online and people could see what was unfolding at the scene. Videos of police rushing to the school, from outside the school, and inside the school showed the dramatic moments that everyone in Florida was living through.

Social media also managed to capture the end of the shooting when suspect Nikolas Cruz was arrested by police. He has already admitted to carrying out the shooting that killed 17 people including teachers, administrators, and students at the school.

Text Messages To Parents And Loved Ones

Sending a final message to loved ones is a statement for someone who is already resigned to their fate. Students were texting their families, wishing them well, and telling them that they loved them as the events were unfolding.