Social media can draw attention to atrocities – a key factor in reducing risk of recurrence

Scholars studied hashtag campaigns in Canada and Syria.

By: Arnaud Kurze, Montclair State University and Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm, Binghamton University, State University of New York, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 9, 2026

Words: 1,026

Last Updated: 16 hours, 38 minutes ago

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By Arnaud Kurze, Montclair State University and Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Social media is often blamed for stoking violence. But it can play a positive role by drawing attention to atrocities – both past and present – which research suggests can make them less likely to occur.

That’s what we found when we compared the role of social media in two very different contexts: the Syrian civil war …

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