David Cameron to ban social media in light of London riots

In response the this week's riots in London following the death of Mark Dugan, David Cameron has told parliament that the government is looking to ban people from popular social networking sites if they are suspected of plotting criminal activity. It is a popular notion that Blackberry's BBM and Twitter have played a huge role in fanning the flames unrest in London.

Cameron said he would meet with Facebok and Twitter to discuss whether it is possible to limit the spread on online messages in connection with acts of rioting, looting or other criminal activity.

It looks like Cameron is taking a leaflet out of NYPD's book and exaggerating it a bit. Social media isn't the only thing Cameron is after, he is also requesting that broadcasters hand over unused footage to police in connection with the riots in order to bring more criminals to justice, which has been vehemently protested when attempted previously.

But how does one know when a riot is going to occur, and is it social medias responsibility to alleviate rage that users already feel? It isn't as if Mark Zuckerberg used Facebook as a call to action asking people to riot and loot the streets of London. Participants in the riot created a reactionary response to Mark Duggans killing and utilized their phone and computers to organize an uprising. The uprising itself was not born from social media.

Cameron however, has said he will do "whatever it takes" to bring order to the nation after the acts of civil disobediance.

Police are already taking action against rioters and have arrested three people in Southhampton under suspicions or inciting violence through Twitter.

tags: london riots, riots, twitter