Elon Musk buys Twitter – what does that mean for student tweeters?
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After several months of negotiations, Elon Musk has bought Twitter – one of the world’s largest social media platforms. Musk bought the popular platform for roughly 44 billion dollars.
Since acquiring the platform, Musk has fired several top executives, such as the CEO, Head of Legal Policy, Trust, and Safety, and the CFO. Users across the world are curious about what the future of Twitter will look like and how it will impact them.
Students use Twitter daily to keep up with trending topics, connect with friends, and share their voices on important issues. In fact, 97% of teens say they use the internet daily. With Twitter’s future uncertain, students might be wondering what these changes will mean for them.
Big changes for Twitter under Musk
Elon Musk originally offered a deal to buy the company earlier this year. When he backed out of the agreement, Twitter sued him, arguing he violated his commitment to buy the company. Weeks before the issue was set to go to trial, Musk finally bought the platform.
Musk, the entrepreneur and the world’s richest person, is expected to make Twitter a private platform. By going private, the company would not need to disclose updates about its business to regulators and Wall Street. He originally bought the company with the intention of making the platform stronger when it comes to free speech.
In a tweet to advertisers last week, Musk wrote that his reasons for acquiring Twitter were to create a “common digital town square, where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner, without resorting to violence.”
Many have called on Musk to share his plans for bringing back accounts that have been banned, such as former President Donald Trump, which he called “foolish in the extreme.”
In further support of his views on free speech, Elon Musk has also previously tweeted, “If the citizens want something banned, then pass a law to do so, otherwise it should be allowed.”
Recent research has found that misinformation spreads six times faster than factual, credible information, and some believe that his stance on free speech will lead to loosened policies and guidelines, giving way to more misinformation, hate speech, and offensive content on the platform. In a recent blog post, we shared that social media can be a hub for misinformation and how we empower ourselves and our students to combat it. Check it out here.
What about verified accounts?
Musk’s views on banning accounts are not the only thing that could change the landscape of Twitter. This week, Musk also announced his plans to expand the Twitter Blue subscription. Twitter Blue is an optional monthly subscription where users are able to gain access to Twitter perks, such as the ability to fix typos, access ad-free articles, and more. With the newly announced subscription, Twitter plans to charge $19.99 a month. Paying subscribers will receive the same perks as the original subscription, and they will also get the blue verification checkmark. The catch is that anyone who is currently verified must subscribe to the plan in 90 days or they will lose their beloved blue checkmark.
Up until now, the blue check has been a status symbol and helpful in identifying a celebrity’s or brand’s true Twitter account. By allowing anyone to pay for the once-hard-to-acquire and coveted blue checkmark next to your username, it may make it more difficult to determine whose account is authentic and whose is not.
TSI’s Take
With Musk buying Twitter, many are discussing what the new landscape of the platform will look like, and if Musk’s ownership will lead to the spread of more misinformation and hate speech.
Here at The Social Institute, one of our Seven Social Standards is Use Your Mic for Good, which emphasizes the importance of using social media as a microphone to create meaningful change. In fact, 80% of Americans say social media platforms are very or somewhat effective for raising public awareness about political or social issues. And, when used effectively and positively, we can squash misinformation and feel confident when consuming information online.
In our Grade 6 #WinAtSocial Curriculum Lesson, Finding and examining credible sources, articles, and social media accounts, students discuss how they can spot the differences between true and misleading news articles.
You can empower your students to Use Their Mic for Good and follow credible sources by reminding them:
- No matter the platform, what we say online is there forever.
- Treat others how you would want to be treated (both online and off).
- Context is key. Understand the full story before rushing to judgment.
- To seek out credible sources.
- To stay mindful of sponsored content.
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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, online learning platform that equips students, educators, and families to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in healthy ways. Our unique, student-respected approach incorporates topics like social media, technology use, and current events that have a significant impact on student well-being. Lessons teach life skills for the modern day to inspire high-character decisions that support the health, happiness, and future success of students, while capturing data that provides insights to school leaders to inform school policy and communications, and enable high-impact teaching and a healthy learning environment. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities.