After several months of back and forth, Musk was able to purchase Twitter for $44 billion and officially took over on Oct. 27, 2022. Now, the latest news surrounding the Twitter nest, so to speak, is all about celebrities leaving the social media site. With many people (celebs and non-celebs alike) quitting Twitter, should you fly the coop as well?
Should you quit Twitter?
It’s absolutely a personal call, and largely depends on how you typically use the site, as well as how you feel about the pros and cons related to choosing to remain on the platform or deactivate your account.
What are some of the reasons for quitting Twitter?
There have been a few different reasons that individuals have decided to quit Twitter recently.
Concerns about hate speech
One of the biggest reasons individuals have quit, or have considered leaving Twitter, is the concern about “free speech” being prioritized with no limits on harassment and hate speech on the platform. Some users have claimed to see hate speech rise without any repercussions since Musk took over. Meanwhile, Musk has claimed that statements regarding the recent prevalence of hate speech are inaccurate.
Disagreeing with the pay-to-play model of blue checkmarks
Blue checkmarks have been used as a way of “verifying” someone is who they say they are, which is why many public figures have the checkmark next to their names. However, Musk has been adamant about making big changes when it comes to these checkmarks—including charging $7.99 a month for any user to purchase this coveted symbol, a new process known as “Twitter Blue.” In the coming months, anyone who was once verified (but has not signed up for Twitter Blue) will have their checkmark removed.
Experiencing news fatigue and anxiety while scrolling
Like frequent usage of any social media app, users may experience more anxiety, depression or stress when they are reading through their Twitter feeds—to the point of deciding that they should log off (either temporarily or permanently) in order to protect their mental health.
Possible reasons to stay on Twitter
Twitter was launched in 2006 and has been a popular platform for many reasons. Here are some of the perks of using the site.
Networking or communicating with consumers if you are a brand or company
From gaining fans thanks to clever, viral tweets, to utilizing this direct form of customer service when there are complaints or questions that need to be addressed, Twitter is a valuable platform for many brands—whether you are just starting your business or you’re an established company already.
Learning from a variety of individuals who can share different experiences and perspectives
For those who want to educate themselves and learn from others who may have different views, opinions and backgrounds, Twitter is a platform where you can choose to follow a variety of people in a really beneficial, thought-provoking way. From Twitter threads that dive into personal stories to someone retweeting a perspective you never considered, consciously following people with a range of beliefs can open your eyes to nuances and help you grow in empathy and understanding as a person.
Keeping in touch with a close community
Twitter can feel like a much smaller, tight-knit community than a platform with around 450 million active monthly users. Whether you use certain hashtags, create “Twitter Circles,” or begin to follow users with similar interests, hobbies or careers, there are real connections made on the site, establishing a really positive environment for plenty of people.
What happens when you quit Twitter?
First, you go into your settings and “deactivate” your account. After a 30-day period following your choice to deactivate (and as long as you remain logged out), Twitter will permanently delete your account.
What some users are saying about quitting Twitter
Next up: So, You Want to Moderate Your Social Media Use—Here’s the Best Way to Go About It, According to Experts
