Quakers worldwide leave X over harmful content
Quakers in Britain are joining other Quaker bodies across the world in disengaging from the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on 16 December.
The move comes due to concerns over changes under Elon Musk's ownership, including increased levels of disinformation and hate.
X's role in spreading harmful content and the erosion of journalistic integrity and public discourse directly contradict Quaker principles of truth and integrity, the faith group said.
Musk has allowed far-right groups back on X and weakened moderation and the platform's algorithm has increased the spread of harmful content.
These include false narratives that have led to real-world violence. Quakers have worked for peace since their inception in the 17th century.
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When the bad outweighs the good, it is time to seek other methods of engaging where it easier to find common ground with our fellow human beings.
- Paul Parker
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Engagement with their posts has sharply decreased, alongside an increase in negative and abusive commentary, Quakers in Britain said.
In addition, target audiences have started leaving the platform.
Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC, the global body which connects Quakers) and FWCC Europe and Middle East Section, Quakers in Ireland, Friends Committee on National Legislation (USA), Canadian Friends Service Committee, Quaker Council for European Affairs, the Friend (Quaker magazine), Friends Journal and Woodbrooke (Quaker learning organisation) are also leaving X on 16 December.
Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: “Quakers are led by their faith to work to make the world more equal and more peaceful. This engagement inevitably includes some compromise, talking and listening to others.
“We seek to answer that of God which is to be found in every person. It seems that X is no longer a forum where this can happen. When the bad outweighs the good, it is time to seek other methods of engaging where it easier to find common ground with our fellow human beings."
Tim Gee, FWCC general secretary, said: “If X was a town square today, it would be one where you pay to be heard, where you'd risk abuse spending time in it, and where you aren't quite sure if the people you do talk with are actual people or robots.
“And now also, it would be a square owned by a close friend of the mayor, liable to be used to amplify his messages.
“In other words, not much like a town square at all. More like a private online dystopia, and not one we're willing to spend our time on anymore."
Quakers in Britain said their X account would be archived to provide information and support. They can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and BlueSky.