Community resilience in the age of social media: a literature review

This literature review focuses on the nature and role of social media in contributing to community resilience, with New Zealand as a specific point of focus. It identifies three main areas where social media has supported resilient forms of behaviour. The first concerns the role of social media in supporting information-seeking behaviours during crisis events. The second looks at the role of social media in empowering individual and community actors, and in providing a forum for interactions that support a sense of community. The third considers the role of social media on mobilising volunteers.

This review also identifies the risks and limitations associated with the use of social media in supporting community resilience. Despite these limitations, this review of the literature shows that social media is now one of the tools in the toolbox of resources that can increase the opportunities for New Zealanders to become more resilient