What a difference a decade can make. Ten years ago, when the world was just learning to find out about the terrorist attacks on the U.S., people learned what was going on through TV, radio — or cell phones.

 But when word came Sunday night that the mastermind of those attacks, Osama bin Laden had been killed in a U.S. raid, social media on portable devices got the news out.

 Many people heard through friends, family or text alerts that President Barack Obama would be addressing the nation. A soldier in Afghanistan learned about the death on Facebook.

A TV producer in South Carolina got a tip from comedian Kathy Griffin on Twitter. And a Kansas woman found out as she absently scrolled through the Internet on her smartphone while walking her dog.

 Most of those media formats or devices weren't available a decade ago when the 9/11 attacks took place.

How much has social media changed the way you get news?  How much do you you use social media outlets?

Source AP

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