βHelping Together Online: Crowdsourcing in Times of Crisisβ
Β Week 12: Crowd sourcing in times of crisis
In todayβs digital society, social media and online platforms have transformed the way people respond to crises. During emergencies such as natural disasters, pandemics, or humanitarian crises, individuals are now able to share information, organize support, raise funds, and coordinate assistance online almost instantly. This process is commonly known as crowdsourcing, where large groups of people collectively contribute information, resources, or problem-solving efforts through digital platforms (Panchal, 2024).
Crowdsourcing has become an important example of digital citizenship because it demonstrates how online communities can work together to support society during difficult times. Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and Google Maps are frequently used to spread urgent updates, locate missing individuals, organize donations, and share safety information during emergencies.
One major example of crowdsourcing in recent years was during the COVID-19 pandemic. Around the world, people used social media to share health resources, fundraising campaigns, food aid information, and mental health support. In Malaysia, online communities actively helped vulnerable groups by spreading donation links and coordinating aid through hashtags and community pages. Digital platforms became spaces where ordinary citizens could participate directly in helping others during the crisis (Szeto et al., 2024).
Another strong example is the use of crowdsourcing during natural disasters such as floods in Malaysia. During the severe floods that affected several Malaysian states in 2021 and 2022, social media users shared real-time information about evacuation centers, rescue requests, road conditions, and donation needs. Volunteers and NGOs relied heavily on online updates to coordinate assistance quickly. This showed how crowdsourcing can provide immediate support faster than traditional communication channels in some situations.
An important concept connected to crowdsourcing is collective intelligence, where knowledge from many individuals is combined to solve problems more effectively. According to researchers, digital platforms allow communities to gather and distribute information rapidly, especially during emergencies when official information may be delayed (Bruns, 2017). Crowdsourcing therefore reflects the power of participatory digital culture, where users actively contribute rather than remain passive audiences.
However, crowdsourcing also comes with challenges. One major issue is the spread of misinformation during crises. False information about rescue locations, fake donation campaigns, or inaccurate health advice can spread quickly online and create confusion. This demonstrates why digital literacy and responsible online behavior are essential parts of digital citizenship. Users must verify information carefully before sharing it with others.
Another issue is unequal access to technology. Not everyone has reliable internet access or digital skills, meaning some communities may still struggle to benefit from online crisis support systems. This highlights that while digital platforms can empower communities, digital inequality remains an important concern (Wong et al., 2025).
In my opinion, crowdsourcing shows the positive potential of digital communities during times of crisis. Social media allows people to help each other quickly, organise support efficiently, and create strong feelings of solidarity even among strangers. However, these benefits are only effective when users act responsibly and critically evaluate information before sharing it. Ultimately, crowdsourcing demonstrates that digital citizenship is not just about consuming content online β it is also about using digital platforms to support and protect communities during difficult times.
References
Panchal, J. (2024). Unveiling the Role of social media in Shaping Responses to Natural Disasters. ITM Web of Conferences, 65, 03016. https://doi.org/10.1051/itmconf/20246503016
Szeto, S., Au, A. K. Y., & Cheng, S. K. L. (2024). Support from Social Media during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. Behavioral Sciences, 14(9), 759. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14090759
Bruns, A. (2017). Gatewatching and news curation. https://doi.org/10.3726/b13293
Wong, C. T. W., Tsui, H. K. H., Li, H. L. J., Cheng, Y. S. V., Li, C., Tse, W., Zhou, H., & Chan, S. K. W. (2025). A Global meta-analysis of digital divide in psychiatric population from 2004 to 2023. Npj Digital Medicine, 9(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-025-02203-y
