A growing number of British universities and higher education institutions are retreating from Elon Musk’s X platform, citing its role in spreading misinformation and inciting violence during last year’s racial disturbances. A survey revealed that many institutions have either scaled back their activity on X or abandoned it entirely.
Musk – a close aide to 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 Defence League and is known as Tommy Robinson, to be released from prison.
The platform, formerly known as Twitter, faced scrutiny in Britain after its involvement in fuelling violent race riots. Concerns have since intensified due to misinformation, violent content, and decreasing audience engagement.
Among the universities stepping back is the London Business School (LBS), a globally top-ranked institution. LBS stopped posting to its 182,000 followers in September, stating it regularly reviews communication channels based on engagement effectiveness.
At the University of Cambridge, at least seven of its 31 colleges have ceased posting to X. Homerton College, Cambridge’s largest by student population, cited the platform’s increasingly toxic environment, while the university itself continues limited use alongside other platforms.
“We know this platform is becoming increasingly toxic, so we will continue to assess our presence on X and monitor emerging alternatives,” said Homerton College.
Oxford University has also seen departures. Merton College, its top-ranked academic college, has deleted its X account, while Harris Manchester College last posted in November, directing followers to alternative platforms.
The University of East Anglia reported an 80% decline in audience engagement on X, while institutions like Falmouth University and Plymouth Marjon University have stopped using it altogether. London Metropolitan University also cited low engagement as the reason for its reduced presence.
Arts conservatoires are following suit. The Royal Northern College of Music said it was “consciously channelling its energy elsewhere”, while London’s performing arts conservatoire Trinity Lab deleted its X account. Similarly, the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama has not posted since August.
Some universities, including the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, continue limited use of X, but the trend highlights a broader withdrawal among British public institutions. This mirrors a pattern first reported in October when several police forces left the platform due to similar concerns.
Despite its waning appeal among British institutions, X has not responded to requests for comment. For many universities, the shift underscores the search for safer, more effective channels for engagement.
Melissa Enoch
Follow us on:
