Platform X was decried as a playground for journalists and politicians. But for many people there is enough. Dunja hayali, one of the most prominent presenters, is taking part in a joint “eXit”.
The Greifswald Moor-Centrum,Werder Bremen and Dunja Hayali have something in common: They have publicly turned their backs on Elon MuskS Platform X. Back in June, the Moor Center announced its departure together with 46 other organizations under the motto “ByeByeElon”. Despite their important work, there was initially little attention given to the fact that the moor experts and others no longer wanted to have anything to do with the social media swamp.
In recent weeks, though, the trend has increased – as it is indeed becoming increasingly clear what alternatives there are.Journalists also declare that the short message service, which was once considered a mandatory medium in the industry, is unnecessary. There is a but. t-online spoke to those who left the group and who announced their departure together on Monday.
Werder Bremen and FC St. Pauli were the first Bundesliga clubs to close their X accounts in mid-November to send a signal. Such departures are likely to actually affect the network – there are many users on the platform who signed up out of fan love and now have less reason to use X. You will no longer get the news about your favorite footballer’s contract extension on X first and first hand. X loses relevance.
“We want to further drive the loss of relevance,” says author Jan Skudlarek, one of the initiators of a joint public statement by 66 large accounts that jointly declared their exit on Monday. “So far the network has been self-perpetuating: people only want to leave when it’s no longer relevant, and it’s relevant as long as everyone stays.”
The former Twitter “became a toxic place, a hotbed of right-wing extremism, science denial, hatred and conspiracy narratives.” That’s why the idea was not to go quietly, “but with a statement as a mutual kick in the ass – and an impetus for networking in new places.”
Author Anne Raabe, berlin SPD politician Sawsan Chebli and Arne Semsrott, founder of the “Ask the State” portal, are also involved in the concerted campaign. Law professor Stefan Huster, former head of the Corona Expert Council, is also one of the signatories.Many journalists are among them,the most prominent name being that of presenter Dunja Hayali.
She tells t-online: “The platform has no meaning and is no longer meaningful.” In the past, discourse, debate, the exchange of arguments, experiences and questions were possible. Today, though, “polemics, insinuations, insults, cynicism and disinformation have taken over.”
Hayali is known for seeking exchanges and has repeatedly taken part in discussions at demonstrations by the political fringe. “but it’s no longer about exploring boundaries, wanting to tolerate and understand other opinions without having understanding.” Rather: confirmation of opinions, spiral of indignation, fun with bubbles – “what’s the point of that for me?” The destructive habitat is not the culture of debate that she wants across political and social boundaries. “For a long time I didn’t want to see it because of my stubbornness,” she says.
One person who had already announced his departure and then came back is Frederic von Castell, the editor-in-chief of “Medium Magazine”, a trade magazine for journalists.”For me as an individual, I no longer see any added value. Bluesky takes up what I lose on Twitter, the network is there now, the accounts are now active there.”
Since the US election, the number of users on the relatively new social media platform Bluesky has risen sharply, to almost 24 million. This is still far behind that of X, but the majority of users are active and authentic. On X, though, the number collapses.
What are the main reasons driving users to leave Platform X for choice social media platforms?
Interview: The Exodus from Platform X – A Discussion on Social Media’s Changing Landscape
Time.news Editor: Welcome to this special edition of Time.news. Today, we’re diving into the recent wave of departures from platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Joining us is Jan Skudlarek, one of the initiators behind the collective exit of over 66 prominent accounts. Jan, thank you for being here!
Jan Skudlarek: Thank you for having me!
Editor: Let’s jump right in. It seems that there is a growing sentiment against Elon Musk’s Platform X. You and others have publicly declared your exit. What prompted this decision, and why now?
Jan: Absolutely. Our decision to leave was fueled by multiple factors. We collectively observed how the quality of discourse on platform X has deteriorated, leading it to become, as many critics have called it, a “toxic place.” It’s evolved into a hotbed for right-wing extremism, conspiracy theories, and sheer hatred. We felt that enough is enough.
Editor: You mentioned the term “toxic place.” Can you elaborate on what you believe has led to this environment?
Jan: Certainly. The platform’s governance and moderation policies have very clearly favored sensationalism and divisiveness over constructive dialog.This has not just silenced moderate voices, but often encouraged extremist behavior. Many journalists, as a notable example, have begun to question weather a platform that promotes such toxicity is one they want to be affiliated with.
Editor: Captivating point. We’ve seen organizations like the Greifswald Moor-Centrum join the movement with their mantra “ByeByeElon.” Is this exodus a coordinated effort, or is it more of an organic reaction to the changing social media landscape?
Jan: It started as an organic reaction, but it has now turned into a coordinated campaign. As more individuals and organizations recognize the negative impact of remaining on the platform, they feel compelled to act. However, we are also actively encouraging this exit to drive the signal home: the more high-profile accounts that leave, the more the platform loses its relevance.
Editor: That’s a well-articulated strategy. Do you think there are viable alternatives emerging for those looking to leave Platform X?
Jan: Yes, absolutely. Alternatives like Mastodon and other decentralized platforms have gained traction. Social media users are realizing that they don’t have to accept the status quo, and they have options that favor community-driven content rather than algorithms that prioritize engagement at the cost of quality.
Editor: It was noted that clubs like werder Bremen and FC St.Pauli closed their X accounts,and you mentioned fan engagement. How do you think the departures of such organizations will affect fans and their connection to the platform?
Jan: That’s a crucial point. Fans who followed these clubs on the platform will likely feel the void of immediate news and updates. When cherished institutions begin to leave, it creates a ripple effect that may prompt other users to reassess their presence on the platform as well. As they look for alternatives, they will realize they don’t need to rely on Platform X for such connections—and that’s where it begins to deteriorate in terms of user engagement.
Editor: You mentioned that the network is only self-perpetuating while people remain. are you hopeful that this trend will lead to broader changes in how social media is governed and moderated?
Jan: I am cautiously optimistic.Movements like ours show that users have the power to shift the conversation. If more creators, journalists, and organizations advocate for better environments—less toxicity and more accountability—we could see a shift in how social media functions in the long run.
Editor: Thank you,Jan,for sharing your insights today. It will be captivating to see how these developments unfold.
Jan: Thank you for having me. It’s an vital conversation, and I hope others will join us in seeking healthier online spaces.