On Friday 13 November, Paris suffered the worst terrorist attack in Europe since the Madrid train bombings in 2004.
During and after the events that occurred, social media proved to be an extremely useful tool for those affected at home and abroad and has since been the one channel that people have used to pay tribute to those who lost their lives.
A Twitter Hashtag to save lives
At 9.34pm, only 9 minutes after the first spate of gunfire, Parisian journalist Sylvain Lapoix, , launched the hashtag #PorteOuverte (Open Door). The objective was to help people, on the streets of Paris, to find a safe place quickly.
“When I saw some Twitter users looking for or proposing a shelter, I thought we needed a rallying point on Twitter, so I launched this hashtag” said Sylvain.
Ceux qui peuvent ouvrir leurs portes, géolocalisez vos tweets + #PorteOuverte pour indiquer les lieux sûrs. #fusillade #Paris
— Sylvain Lapoix (@SylvainLapoix) November 13, 2015
Translation: “People who can open their doors, localise our tweets + #PorteOuverte to signal a safety place”
This hashtag was also used in German (#OffeneTüren), to help German people in Paris attending the football game between France and Germany.
If you need a place to stay german friends, write to me, I'm in 34 rue de Lappe #offenetüren
— Robin Prudent (@robin_prudent) November 13, 2015
Used 300 000 times in 2 hours, #PorteOuverte, created and launched by Twitter users during the events was a vital tool to make sure that people seeking help, were granted it.
Facebook unveil “Safety Check”
As the world was coming to terms with the attacks, social media giant Facebook launched its “Safety Check” feature.
The feature allows Facebook users located in the Paris area to let their Facebook friends know that they are safe with an alert.
According to Mashable, 4 million Facebook users used this feature in the 24 hours following the attacks with more than 350 million Facebook users receiving an alert that their loved ones were safe.
After the horror, the tributes
After the attacks, a blue, white and red wave engulfed social media around the world.
First, it was Facebook to introduce its feature that allows users to add a French national flag filter on their profile picture with one click.
In the same way, Snapchat also launched a special filter.
In response to the attacks, @Snapchat has a filter that covers the entire screen and says "Pray for Paris": pic.twitter.com/12HdhtneWX
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) November 14, 2015
It wasn’t just the social networks to pay tribute to France with Uber updating its smartphone app to include all its car icons adorned by the French flag.
Paris attacks: Uber emblazons in-app car icons with French flag https://t.co/qsXUzUN7UM pic.twitter.com/tBA27F6UFF
— Standard News (@standardnews) November 15, 2015
The attacks caused the deaths of more than 130 people with many special tributes being launched on social media, for example: #Tribute4FrenchToffees.
The administrator of the Twitter handle @FrenchToffees (French Everton FC fans community) was tragically a victim of the Paris attacks. In a couple of hours, the news was passed on to fans, bloggers, journalists, players and clubs.
Please Rt @Everton #Tribute4FrenchToffees pic.twitter.com/KhsKz7UMKr
— Groover (@GrooverBlog) November 15, 2015
We need you @Everton ! 1 of your biggest supporter died in Paris during the attacks. Every week he supported you. Go #Tribute4FrenchToffees
— Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) November 15, 2015
RIP mes amis… #tribute4frenchtoffees
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) November 15, 2015
Queremos trasladar nuestro más sincero pésame a la familia del Comunity Manager del Everton FC France(@frenchToffees).#tribute4FrenchToffees
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) November 15, 2015
People from all over the world including rock stars, sports personalities and politicians stood in solidarity with Paris, paying tribute to the victims.
https://twitter.com/sbeaugeAFP/status/665599997182898177
https://twitter.com/unamplified/status/665600624755662848
The thoughts of everyone at Wembley Stadium are with the people of France at this extremely difficult time pic.twitter.com/MSbrDRPbVk
— Wembley Stadium (@wembleystadium) November 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/LMDFoot_/status/665911841479069696
Drivers show solidarity at the Interlagos parade after the events in Paris #BrazilGP #GPBrasilF1 pic.twitter.com/iuc367EAml
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 15, 2015
20.000 in front of French Embassy in Copenhagen #ParisAttacks pic.twitter.com/aMrEPZUjDj
— Ambassade de France au Danemark 🇫🇷 (@francedk) November 15, 2015
Berlin.12h. Silence. #AFP pic.twitter.com/f4SbvfFCGM
— Yannick Pasquet (@yayaberlin) November 16, 2015
Shocked & saddened by terrorist attacks on #Paris Standing with #France from @space_station. Our thoughts are w you. pic.twitter.com/LLR7jK6gFe
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) November 14, 2015
