The text presents an extensive set of guidelines published by Vikalpa(Sinhala Note) regarding responsible behavior for social media users during natural disasters, emphasizing that platforms, while useful, can cause severe harm if used unethically. The primary focus is detailing specific actions that must be avoided, such as the rapid spread of misinformation, unverified news, or outdated photographs that can lead to panic or misplaced effort. Furthermore, the article strongly cautions users against promoting fraudulent financial requests and the public dissemination of sensitive personal information belonging to disaster victims. Logistical warnings stress that users must not misuse emergency communication lines or appropriate official hashtags for personal or commercial gain, as this can divert attention from genuine calls for help. Finally, the guidelines urge sensitivity by discouraging the posting of graphic or inappropriate images of injured victims and avoiding excessive sharing that contributes to debilitating information overload.
VIDEO OVERVIEW – ENGLISH
*This note is the English version of the Sinhala content published on the Vikalpa website, and it was prepared using NotebookLM.
