Following the platform’s association with fuelling racial riots in 2023, along with the widespread backlash over controversial actions and remarks by Elon Musk, several UK universities and colleges have significantly diminished or entirely abolished the use of X (previously Twitter). This decision was based on worrying instances of misinformation and violent content, as well as dwindling user engagement.
Major Points:
Growing Withdrawal: According to a Reuters survey taken in January 2025, many universities and even some top UK institutions have been pulling away from X.
Reasons for Withdrawal: The main reasons for this retraction are worries over misinformation spread through the app, the facilitation of violence, and low engagement from users.
Universities Scaling Back on X:
London Business School (LBS)
Last posted in September 2024.
It cites audience engagement as the reason for scaling back on X.
University of Cambridge:
At least seven colleges quit posting on X.
Homerton College, the biggest college, called the platform “toxic” and will keep reviewing its presence on X.
University of Oxford:
Merton College has deleted its X account.
Harris Manchester College directed followers to other platforms after the last post in mid-November 2024.
University of East Anglia:
Reported a decrease of 80% in audience engagement on X, which led them to reduce their activities on the site.
Falmouth University:
Last activity in September 2024. They have given a signal to distance themselves from the site.
Buckinghamshire New University:
They concluded that X is no longer suitable for university discourse because of the toxic nature of the site.
Arts Institutions
Join the Trend:
Royal Northern College of Music: They moved their focus away from X.
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance: Removed their X account.
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama: Not posting since August 2024.
Wider Institutional Trend:
Many police forces and public bodies, including educational ones, have cut their use of X, which is seen as a broader trend away from the platform.
Misinformation & Violence: Concerns about the role of X in spreading misinformation and amplifying violent content have been a key driver in this shift.
Elon Musk’s Role:
Musk’s inflammatory rhetoric and political associations, especially with Keir Starmer of the UK as prime minister and far-right leaders, have played a significant role in increasing attention to X.
Universities are worried that X is becoming a platform for toxic and divisive communication.
This is a trend in the face of growing concerns over content moderation, user engagement, and platform integrity, with an increasing number of universities and institutions cutting ties with X. Educational institutions are looking for safer and more effective ways to communicate with their communities.
