Social media

I have been struck and moved by the outpouring of grief and support for the French people on social media. Many people on Facebook have changed their profile photograph to include the French flag as a mark of respect. But yesterday a friend told me that a Whatsapp message is doing the rounds urging people to remove the French flag from profile photos because they risked becoming a target themselves. I was horrified and pretty angry. It could be just a hoax or just another chain letter or something even more sinister. I sincerely doubt that anyone will take notice. I dismissed the message until yesterday afternoon when I heard President Barack Obama saying how Islamic State was using a vicious campaign on social media to recruit new members and scare the western world. Well they are not scaring me! I think that it is vital that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the French people in their hour of need. An attack on Paris is an attack on us. Everyone agrees. I believe that one of the ways to stop Islamic State is to show a strong sense of unity among people across the world against terrorism. Social media is a very useful tool to show your disgust at the attacks and respect for the victims and injured. This dramatic moment in the history of France should also be a watershed in the fight against terrorism. The attacks in France should never be allowed to happened again. Now is the time for unity amongst governments and show that terror and scare tactics will never win.