Several UK universities and higher education institutions are scaling back or abandoning their presence on Elon Musk's social media platform, X, due to concerns over misinformation and its
role in last year’s race riots. A Reuters survey revealed that many institutions have reduced their activity on X to minimal levels or ceased using the platform altogether, following a similar trend among academics.
The spotlight fell on X, formerly Twitter, during violent racial disturbances in the UK last year. Musk, a close associate of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has drawn criticism for controversial statements, including calls for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s imprisonment and the release of far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson.
Reuters examined over 150 X accounts belonging to UK universities, colleges, and arts conservatoires, identifying a noticeable decline in activity. Institutions cited concerns about misinformation, content promoting violence, and reduced user engagement as reasons for retreating.
London Business School (LBS), for instance, last posted on X in September to its 182,000 followers. LBS explained its decision, stating, "London Business School continually reviews its communications channels and decides which to use based on levels of effective audience engagement." LBS is one of the world’s top-ranked business schools.
This withdrawal echoes actions taken by several British police forces, as reported by Reuters in October. The university survey suggests a growing exodus from X among public institutions, despite some universities maintaining regular activity on the platform.
At Cambridge, seven of its 31 colleges have stopped posting. Homerton College, the university’s largest by student population, noted, "We know this platform is becoming increasingly toxic, so we will continue to assess our presence on X and monitor emerging alternatives." However, the University of Cambridge confirmed it still uses X alongside other channels.
Oxford’s Merton College, academically ranked as the university’s top college, has deleted its X account, though it declined to comment. Harris Manchester College last posted on November 15, directing followers to other platforms.
Similarly, the University of East Anglia reported an 80% drop in audience engagement on X. Other institutions, including Falmouth University, Plymouth Marjon University, and London Metropolitan University, have also reduced or ceased activity on the platform. Buckinghamshire New University remarked that X was "no longer a place where we want to encourage conversations with our university."
Arts conservatoires have joined the trend, with the Royal Northern College of Music focusing its efforts on other channels and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance deleting its X account. The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama has not posted since August. Photo by Twitter, Wikimedia commons.