The world was notified of the terrorist attacks in Paris largely through social media.
Platforms such as Periscope, Twitter and Facebook all helped millions of people reach out and learn about the deadly attacks in real time.
"I would be announcing something or telling something happening," said the Periscoper known as EuroMaestro. "And they'd say it's not on CNN and the networks. Then they'd report it five minutes later."
Sunnyvale-based PhatChat is a social app. Its growth has jumped as people discuss issues of the day online.
"Yeah, this is the way that I find information, especially young people," PhatChat CEO Jason Harrison said. "This has become our primary source."
But the company is also aware that social media is spreading misinformation too, like the tweet about the Eiffel Tower going dark because of the attack. The tweet's claim was not true because the tower goes dark every night.
"Sometimes it will linger," Harrison said. "But eventually the community will correct itself and identify what's not true or most accurate."
