Portsmouth city councillors have debated whether the council should stop using X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Council leader Councillor Steve Pitt described the platform, now owned by businessman Elon Musk, as a “bear pit” which might collapse now that Musk “is running the USA”, with president-elect Donald Trump picking him for a new cost-cutting role.
During a meeting on the council’s marketing strategy for the city’s visitor economy, Councillor Pitt asked council staff: “Are we keeping a watching brief on what’s happening with X as to whether we need to be on another platform? “I’m keeping an eye on my account these days, but I’ve moved to somewhere that’s less of a bear pit – I see that there’s an ongoing exodus. “It might collapse now that Elon Musk is running the United States of America.”
In response to the council leader’s concerns, officers said the issue is under consideration and noted that analysing marketing results from X had become “much more complicated” recently.
Councillor Russell Simpson responded to Cllr Pitt’s comments, stating: “Let’s be really honest, all social media is a cesspit in one way or another.”
He criticised Facebook for being particularly harmful in terms of bullying, especially among teenagers.
Cllr Simpson also highlighted Instagram and the tragic case of Molly Russell, a 14-year-old who took her own life in 2017. Her inquest concluded that she had suffered from depression and by harmful online content.
It was found that 2,100 pieces of content related to suicide, self-harm and depression were saved, liked or shared by Molly on Instagram.
Cllr Simpson continued: “Twitter has merged into lots of different things; it’s definitely become more political than any other platform I know of.
“I haven’t mentioned our favourite, and that’s NextDoor – that’s probably the worst out of the four.”
November 6, the day after Donald Trump won the US presidential election, marked the largest decrease in users since Musk bought the platform in 2022.
Following the election, several celebrities and organisations, including The Guardian newspaper, Mark Hamill, Stephen King, and CNN anchor Don Lemon, have announced their departure from X.
It was reported earlier this year that Devon County Council, along with Chippenham Town Council in Wiltshire, decided to stop using X.
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