All About People

Social media, and how we use it, has evolved rapidly over the years. Twitter (now X) has been a valuable, often challenging, space for us to connect and engage beyond the tribes of people  we are comfortable with and connected to in real life. Of course, engagement on Twitter was still often limited to ‘people like us’ but it was also  a space of constructive challenge and dialogue between people with different views and experiences from our own. But recent changes both to the ownership and algorithms have made it very clear to us that this isn’t a platform we want to participate in. The time has come for us to say goodbye.

Here’s why we’re leaving X:

1. Toxic Environment

Twitter was always a double-edged sword: a place where critical social issues were discussed, but also where hate speech, harassment, and disinformation thrived. Over the years, the balance has tipped in the wrong direction, and X now feels like a breeding ground for increasingly toxic and harmful interactions. If conversations really matter (and they do) then we need to host them in safe and respectful ways and in places that support generative dialogue not attacks and division.

2. Algorithmic Frustration

The original joy of Twitter was in following people and topics that mattered to you, in real-time. It was perfectly possible and encouraged to engage with people you would never normally have access to, a flattening of hierarchies and broadening of networks. However, in recent times, our timelines are increasingly cluttered with irrelevant content, ads, and suggestions that we never opted into. The prioritisation of consumer engagement over meaningful interaction has made the platform less meaningful and more akin to an echo chamber where trending topics and the paid for blue tick users drown out nuanced conversations.

3. Consumerism rather than connection

Twitter was once a place where people – change-makers, thinkers, doers – would connect and come together to share insight and experiences, challenging each other in productive and thought-provoking ways. But with the ever-evolving changes – like the shift to long-form content, the emphasis on paid-for features like the blue tick and an increasing focus on monetisation – it feels as though the platform is catering more to so called ‘influencers’ and corporate brands than everyday people. This has led to a decline in the organic, (sometimes) high-quality discourse that once defined the space. 

4. Better Alternatives Exist

The digital landscape is filled with platforms that offer a more positive, secure, and engaging user experience. There are many alternatives where users can engage in meaningful discussions, create communities, and avoid the pitfalls of X’s toxic environment. These platforms emphasise community, moderation, and user agency, providing a much-needed breath of fresh air compared to the increasingly chaotic and harmful landscape of X.

Leaving X isn’t just about moving away from a platform; it’s about reclaiming the social media experience and acting out our values and beliefs. We want to engage in digital spaces that value healthy interactions, respect privacy, and foster meaningful conversations. While Twitter once held the crown for quick, insightful exchanges, X no longer serves that role for us. It’s time to move on to spaces that align better with our values. We’re taking some time to find out what platforms might work for us rather than jumping into something new straight away. We’re going to focus our attention on Linked-In for now – if you want to connect with us you can find us here: Ruth, Sarah, Olivia. Or please email us at hello@allaboutpeople.org.uk if you’d like to receive our irregular but hopefully insightful blogs and newsletters. 

Are you considering leaving too? Let’s continue the conversation – just not on X!