It seems that Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter is moving ahead. As next Friday’s deadline approaches, there has been much speculation about how Musk’s prioritization of free speech, along with the potential to reinstate banned accounts such as those belonging to former President Donald Trump and Alex Jones, will change the landscape of Twitter and social media.
A recent study from the Pew Research Center speaks to the growing use of alternative social media sites, including Parler, Rumble, Gettr, Telegram, and Truth Social. Approximately 1 in 7 prominent accounts on alternative social media has previously been banned or demonetized by mainstream sites for alleged hate speech or misinformation. Roughly two-thirds of alternate social media site users identify as Republican. Alternative social media users care about the protection of free speech, patriotism, and pro-America values.
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One of the leading reasons alternative social media has gained traction is that it helps users access news stories they wouldn’t find elsewhere. These sites allow for discussion about third-rail topics that would be forbidden on mainstream sites, including a more unrestrained discussion of COVID-19, the events of Jan. 6, 2021, and the use of the word “groomer.”
People who are aware of alternative social media sites but do not use them as news sources tend to be skeptical of them, according to the Pew study. A common preconception is that these sites support misinformation, political bias, inaccuracy, and extremism, which speaks to the ways in which the Left and the Right have become antithetical to one another. Considering the overlap between Musk’s vision for Twitter and the function of alternative social media, are users on alternative sites likely to return to Twitter once the deal has gone through?
Probably. Once the accounts of banned public figures have been reinstated, they and their followers will likely return to Twitter. That’s down to the sheer volume of interactions that will be available to them once again. Oh, and their ability to witness blue checkmark accounts having a meltdown.
With this redesign on the horizon, many Twitter employees are reportedly planning to revolt or quit upon Musk’s acquisition. In the coming weeks, be prepared for the shrieking of leftists to go on, long into the night, as some balance to the public square returns.
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Dr. Debra Soh is a sex neuroscientist, the host of The Dr. Debra Soh Podcast, and the author of The End of Gender: Debunking the Myths About Sex and Identity in Our Society.
