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CSUSB professor interviewed for article on role of social media and increase in mountain rescuesLos Angeles Daily News/Southern California News GroupApril 20, 2018
As the weather warms up, more people will head outdoors to hiking spots throughout Southern California. However, more people outdoors means more mountain rescues. While it’s hard to pinpoint why there’s been such a dramatic increase in rescues, several law enforcement officials have seen one common denominator: Social media.
Yet some experts said blaming technology is not entirely fair.
“If we take a technology deterministic view then we will build a causation out of a correlation, and it’s not necessarily the case,” said Ahlam Muhtaseb, professor and graduate coordinator of communication studies at Cal State San Bernardino. “It’s not necessarily the technology that is making people participate in risky behaviors. It’s a reflection of a person’s own personality and behaviors and how they employ the technology in their day to day lives.”
Muhtaseb points out someone who generally isn’t a risk-taker wouldn’t be lured to climb a waterfall for a selfie.
“People have to be careful and educated on the appropriate uses on technology,” she said. “As with any new technology, the negative impacts might overshadow the positive.”
Instead, Muhtaseb and others in the hiking community say the emphasis should always remain on preparation.
Read the complete article at “Hiking rescues increase in Southern California; could social media be to blame? Some law enforcement officials think so.”
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