Social media’s role in Buffalo’s resilience during recent winter storms should be a call to action. A call to recognize the importance of bridging the digital divide and broadband access as a cornerstone of community resilience, crisis response, and mutual aid.
Social media isn’t just for sharing life updates or curating personal content; it can be vital community infrastructure. On my Facebook Page, It Takes a Village Buffalo, I am dedicated to connecting people with the resources they need by sharing the good works of local charities, nonprofits, and elected officials. I use this page each day to amplify community events and keep people informed.
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The Facebook Groups Buffalo Blizzard Response and Buffalo S.T.O.R.M have been lifelines for Western New York families during dangerous weather. Through technology, we’ve witnessed extraordinary mobilization of community support. Residents turned to these groups not just in search of help, but also to offer it. Individuals braved the elements to deliver groceries, baby formula, and even facilitated emergency medical consultations, including the miraculous guided delivery of a baby girl — all mediated through social media apps.
Buffalo’s resilience should force policymakers to recognize the importance of bridging the digital divide and cementing an era of digital inclusivity. It is a reminder that access to the internet is not a luxury, but a necessity – a utility equivalent to clean water and electricity. During extreme weather, when traditional systems and services break down and falter, social media becomes a crucial asset in the crisis response toolkit, ensuring that help, hope, and humanity can find a way through even the most formidable storms.
More than 1.7 million New York households currently rely on the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides financial assistance for high-speed internet. The program will run out of funding in April. Congress should stop that from happening.
In the digital age, ensuring affordable internet for all is not merely about access to information but about ensuring the very fabric of our communities remains intact, connected, and supported. It also means access to employment opportunities, remote learning and a strong local economy.
The role that digital connectivity played in Western New York during some of the region’s worst storms illustrates the profound capacity of social media to build community, connect those in need with resources, and amplify the good works of local organizations. I named my page It Takes A Village Buffalo because indeed it does.
Access to digital resources is not just about browsing and scrolling. It’s also about ensuring Buffalo continues to be “the city of good neighbors” – connected, supported, and empowered to help each other out.
Daren “Doc” Thomas is the founder of Doc Thomas Promotions and admin of the Facebook Page It Takes A Village Buffalo.