PROVIDENCE, R.I. — In the wake of a shooting on the Brown University campus, students swiftly turned to social media to gather and disseminate information, documenting their experiences in real-time. As chaos unfolded on December 13, 2025, students posted urgent updates on platforms like Sidechat, an anonymous messaging service popular on campuses across the U.S.
An analysis of over 8,000 posts following the incident showcases how integral these digital channels have become during emergencies. While official alerts took time to emerge, students began sharing information almost immediately, transforming their individual experiences into a collective narrative of survival and confusion.
“Will never see the first snow of the season and not think about those two,” one student reflected, indicating the lasting impact of the tragedy.
Students described their struggles, with many locked in dorms and fearing for their safety. They shared thoughts about their wellbeing and safety, while also offering support through small acts of kindness, such as sharing food and checking on others.
As students navigated through the lockdown, they posed critical questions to each other: Was there a lockdown? Were they safe to move? Despite the fear and uncertainty, camaraderie blossomed as students worked to verify information, forming a community response to a crisis.
The aftermath revealed a campus changed; the lockdown ended, but the innocence felt by many students had been irrevocably stripped away. Vigil events sprang up around campus, as students and community members mourned not just the victims but the altered sense of safety on their once-beloved campus.
