Social Media and the London Riots

David Cameron considers banning suspected rioters from social media

"Social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and BlackBerry Messenger are thought to have played a role in organising riots across the UK"

"The government is looking at banning people from using social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook if they are thought to be plotting criminal activity"

"'Everyone watching these horrific actions will be struck by how they were organised via social media. Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill,' said Cameron"

"A move to disconnect potential rioters would mark a huge shift in Britain's internet policy, with free speech advocates likely to accuse the government of ushering in a new wave of online censorship"

London riots: hundreds answer appeal to clean up streets

"Facebook and Twitter mobilises hunderds of people to clear debris from streets on London's worst-hit communities"

"Many of those at Clapham Junction had been directed to the area from other parts of London by the online clean-up campaign, tagged on Twitter as #riotcleanup"

"Many saw the clean-up as a fitting riposte to the vilification of social media, which played a key role in the organisation of the riots"

"By 10am the tag was the top trending topic in the UK and the second worldwide"