A growing number of UK universities and higher education institutions are withdrawing from Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), citing concerns over misinformation, violent content, and falling engagement on the platform.
A Reuters survey has revealed that several universities have reduced their activity on X to a bare minimum or ceased using it altogether, mirroring a broader trend among academics and public institutions.
The platform, which came under scrutiny in the UK last year during violent racial riots, has faced criticism for its role in spreading misinformation. Institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Oxford colleges, and other prominent universities have reassessed their presence on X, citing its increasingly toxic environment.
Homerton College, the largest college at Cambridge in terms of student numbers, stated, "We know this platform is becoming increasingly toxic, so we will continue to assess our presence on X and monitor emerging alternatives." At least seven of Cambridge’s 31 colleges have stopped posting, though the university itself continues to use the platform alongside other channels.
Merton College at Oxford, which holds the university’s top academic ranking, has deleted its X account entirely, while Harris Manchester College last posted in November, directing followers to other platforms.
Many universities have reported declining engagement on X, prompting a shift in communication strategies. The University of East Anglia noted an 80% drop in audience interaction, while London Business School, one of the world’s top-ranked institutions, has not posted since September.
Other institutions, including Falmouth University, Plymouth Marjon University, and London Metropolitan University, have either stopped using X or significantly reduced their activity. Buckinghamshire New University explicitly stated that X is "no longer a place where we want to encourage conversations with our university."
Top arts conservatoires have joined the retreat. London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama has not posted since August, while the Royal Northern College of Music is focusing its efforts on alternative platforms. Trinity Laban, another leading conservatoire, has deleted its account entirely.
The Reuters survey follows an earlier report in October highlighting that several British police forces had similarly reduced their presence on X or quit the platform. This reflects a growing trend among public institutions distancing themselves from X amidst mounting concerns over misinformation and divisive content.
Despite this retreat, some universities, including Cambridge, continue to post on X while exploring other channels to engage with their audiences. X, however, did not respond to requests for comment on the growing exodus.