Universities and other higher education establishments have joined British institutions in retreating from Elon Musk’s X social media platform, citing its role in spreading misinformation that fueled racial riots last year.
A Reuters survey on Tuesday showed that many universities have minimized their use of X or abandoned it altogether after a number of academics left the platform.
The role of X (formerly Twitter) came into the spotlight during last year’s violent racial disturbances in Britain.
Musk – a close ally of US President-elect Donald Trump – has since called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to be jailed and for anti-Muslim activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who co-founded the far-right English Defense League, to be jailed. Known as ki and. Tommy Robinson will be released from jail.
Reuters surveyed the X accounts of more than 150 universities, their colleges and art patrons, and contacted those who had made little or no posts in recent months.
He cited concerns over misinformation, content promoting violence and declining participation.
“London Business School constantly reviews its communication channels and makes decisions about which ones to use based on the level of effective audience engagement,” LBS told Reuters.
It last posted to its 182,000 followers on X in September. It is one of the top ranked business schools in the world.
Reuters first reported in October that many British police forces had abandoned the X or reduced their use. The university survey points to a widespread withdrawal among public institutions, even though many universities still regularly post on X.
At least seven of the 31 colleges at the University of Cambridge have stopped posting X’s.
Homerton College, the university’s largest in terms of student numbers, said, “We know this platform is becoming increasingly toxic, so we will continue to assess our presence on X and monitor emerging alternatives.”
The University of Cambridge told Reuters it continued to use X alongside other channels.
In Oxford, Merton College – the university’s top-ranked college academically – has removed its X account. It did not respond to a request for comment.
Harris Manchester – another Oxford college – last posted on November 15 and asked followers to find it on other platforms.
The University of East Anglia said its audience participation on X had dropped by 80%.
X did not respond to a request for comment.
Falmouth University last posted the X in September, while Plymouth Marjan University said it would no longer use it. London Metropolitan University cited falling engagement for no longer actively posting.
Buckinghamshire New University said the
Some top art patrons have also stepped away.
The Royal Northern College of Music said it was “deliberately diverting its energies elsewhere”, while London performing arts conservatory Trinity Labs deleted its X account.
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama has not posted since August.
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