Social media to be used for public emergencies

The Ministry of Interior plans to use social media websites to inform the public about natural and other disasters in the event its systems break down, and to get information from people during such emergency situations. Majed Al-Hussein, director of the ministry’s strategic directorate, said the strategy does not infringe on the right of people to use these sites. He said Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, second deputy premier and interior minister, had been looking at new ways to improve services, according to a report in a local publication recently. The strategy would increase the level of awareness and cooperation of citizens, residents and visitors, and “provide constant and transparent information at all times,” Prince Mohammed reportedly said recently. In related news, the seventh safety and security seminar was launched on Tuesday in Riyadh under the patronage of Prince Mohammed. Prince Abdullah bin Mishari, assistant interior minister for technology affairs, opened the two-day event. Mishari said that social media networks have developed to such an extent that the country needs to find ways to harness its power, especially to enhance security in the country. Gen. Saad Al-Khliwi, director of King Fahd Security College, said social media networks have been “taking over” since 2007. He said the country needs to ensure that it can develop mechanisms on these sites to protect young people against negative ideas. Col. Mohammad Al-Ammar, director of the studies and research center at King Fahd Security College, said that social media networks have social, security and moral impact. He said there is a worry that people would become addicted to these sites and avoid regular human contact. -arabnews