Remember when Twitter was the place to connect with people, share ideas, and stay up to date on world events? It feels like those days are slipping away. The platform has changed so much over the past few years that it’s hard not to wonder if it’s beyond saving. With new platforms like Bluesky and Threads on the rise, the question is: can they truly fill the gap left by Twitter?
Twitter (yeah, I still can’t bring myself to call it X) has been a bit of a minefield – these days it feels like I’m constantly dodging spam bots, heated debates, and all sorts of problematic content.
I used to love Twitter. I’d been on it since 2009 and it was the place to find community and get information. But I’ve been surprised at how much it’s deteriorated in recent years, especially the last few years.
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The change came swiftly: One day we were all tweeting under the familiar blue bird logo, the next it was gone, replaced by a plain black X. Features that were once available to everyone are now hidden behind paywalls.
Much of the frustration stems from changes to the news feed. Elon Musk tried to emulate TikTok’s “For You” page by showing more content from accounts you don’t follow. But Twitter is not TikTok. The result? A feed cluttered with viral posts that have nothing to do with what you care about.
And then there’s the issue of moderation, or rather the lack thereof, which has changed noticeably since Musk (pictured below) took office: accounts banned for spreading hate and misinformation are re-emerging, and researchers say algorithms appear to be amplifying harmful content.
(Image: PA)
Musk calls himself a “free speech absolutist” and argues that Twitter should be a place where all ideas can be openly discussed, but in practice this often means giving space to extreme opinions at the expense of everyone else.
Two years after buying Twitter, it’s clear that Musk has turned it into a tool to further his own agenda and increasingly aligned with far-right ideology. His open support for conspiracy theories, including those related to public health and vaccinations, has only added to the sense of chaos and division on the platform.
Musk made headlines again last week when he called on people to “support freedom of expression in the UK.” But amid far-right violence fuelled by misinformation, the UK government has accused social media, and Musk’s platform in particular, of fuelling disinformation and spreading hatred.
The riots erupted after the tragic murders of three girls were falsely blamed on Muslim migrants who arrived in small boats, when in fact the crime was allegedly committed by a British-born teenager, the son of Rwandan immigrants.
Tommy Robinson, a far-right influencer whose Twitter account was restored by Musk in late 2023, played a key role in spreading this false narrative, and Musk himself added fuel to the fire, tweeting “civil war is inevitable” alongside Robinson’s video on August 4. Critics argue that Musk has not only failed to address disinformation on his platform, but has actively contributed to its spread.
While disinformation is a problem on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and WhatsApp, X stands out in this shuffle for two reasons: First, it’s a platform used by politicians and journalists, so accuracy is more important than anywhere else. Second, Musk’s direct influence over what gets spread makes it a unique concern.
It’s sad to see what’s happening to the platform that once felt like a digital town square.
In an increasingly toxic environment, people are asking themselves, “I’m OK with leaving X, but where should I leave?” Many in the Twittersphere have explored alternatives this year, but none have yet been fully embraced.
Some high-profile users are already fed up: Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo called X a “giant global sewer” and is quitting the platform at the end of 2023. Labour MPs have also left, alarmed by what they see as Musk turning the platform into a “megaphone for foreign adversaries and far-right extremist groups.”
For those looking for something different, Bluesky offers a familiar haven. Its similarity to X makes it easy to navigate, especially for longtime users who miss the feel of old Twitter. Bluesky focuses on the basics, bringing back the early Twitter feel that many loved.
But Twitter remains a public square where opinions are shared. Unfortunately, no other platform offers the instantaneous access to influential people or serves as a hub for breaking news like Twitter. Meta’s Threads is trying to catch up, but Mark Zuckerberg isn’t promoting it as a haven for politicians or journalists. In fact, political content on Threads is intentionally toned down and doesn’t appear unless users actively seek it out.
I found myself increasingly drawn to Bluesky as it slowly took shape. Still, nothing compares to Twitter when it comes to news on topics like politics, economics, human rights, and Europe, which are areas in which the media I follow are most active.
For big events, Twitter remains effective. It’s a great tool for finding information. Many public figures continue to use X as their main communication channel, important social issues and controversies are still discussed there, and as a journalist, I feel it’s impossible to leave X without running the risk of missing something important. Like it or not, X remains a major and essential social network.
That said, I spend less time on Twitter than I used to, and I’ve noticed that many of the communities I’m in are less active, the conversations have shifted, and there’s less constructive exchange. The divide is clear, and it’s impacting how I engage with them.
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But despite that, it’s very hard for me to let go of Twitter – as a long-time user, I feel very attached to the platform.
Many people may not understand this, but it’s not just a social network, it’s an important part of my life. 15 years ago, social networks were the catalyst for my political awakening and allowed me to connect with people who shared my interests, one of which became the love of my life and led to my marriage and starting a family.
Twitter also played a key role in my journey as a journalist. Without any family connections, I relied on it to get the attention of news outlets and influencers who might have ignored someone like me. I began my freelance career in Scotland and made meaningful connections along the way. I prefer Twitter as a social platform for real-time updates, conversations, and above all, laughs.
For many journalists, particularly those from marginalized communities or working-class backgrounds, Twitter was more than just a platform; it was a gateway to opportunities that would have otherwise seemed out of reach. That’s why saying goodbye is so hard.