Wilmington Forum Aims To Put 'Social' Back In Social Media

WILMINGTON, MA -- A pair of middle school teachers decline to continue leading a field trip after parents make disparaging comments about their efforts on Facebook. A zoning board member catches heat for referring to people fighting drug addiction as "junkies." And neighbor is pitted against neighbor on Facebook and Twitter as the town considers a controversial proposal to approve plans for a drug treatment facility on Middlesex Avenue.

When it comes to controversial issues, it's been a busy fall for public officials in Wilmington and, as a result, a busy fall for residents who keep tabs on and chime in about the latest doings in town on social media. It's no surprise that a lot of those missives cross the line from public discourse into the realm of personal attacks. And now Wilmington wants to do something about it.

On November 20, Wilmington Community Television will host "Social Media In Wilmington," at 7 pm at Wilmington High School, a first of its kind public forum that tries to look at the local impact -- both good and bad -- social media plays in town issues. The forum will try to focus on the positive aspects of social media in staying better informed about local issues and its ability to give voice to residents in unprecedented ways.

"Have you heard from someone in town how BAD social media is? Are you sick of seeing posts or comments that just seem to stir the pot? Ready to just throw up your hands and give up on social media??? Well hold on," Wilmington Community Television wrote on the Facebook event page for the forum. "What about all the good that can come from social media connections? This first-of-its-kind forum will look at the role Facebook and Twitter (and Instagram) are playing in Wilmington. We're bringing together some of the people behind the town's biggest social media pages to talk about how they see social media as a TOOL to connect our community."

Because some good does come from social media: last week Facebook helped a local family that had their roof and two cars destroyed during the wind storm by directing people to a fundraising page that has raised close to $3,500 as of Monday afternoon. It was on social media that those teachers were ultimately vindicated and praised for their efforts to take eighth graders to Washington, D.C. And the zoning board member's comment and the debate around a 48-bed detox center have forced some frank -- if difficult -- conversations about drug addiction and the way its viewed in Wilmington.

Wilmington Community Television says more information on the forum is on its way. Until then, keep the comments civil.

Subscribe to Wilmington Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).