Why Keep Wales Tidy is leaving X
We're heading over to BlueSky
At the end of this week, Keep Wales Tidy will leave X (formerly Twitter).
Once a platform for connection, engagement, and collaboration, it has devolved into something far removed from those ideals. At Keep Wales Tidy we’ve decided that we cannot, in good conscience, continue to use a platform that has not only allowed, but seemingly encouraged, a rise in hate speech, misinformation, and division.
Under its current ownership, Twitter has become a shadow of its former self. Algorithms now prioritise outrage over substance, extremism over nuance, and profit over the broader public good. The result is a platform that too often amplifies harmful voices and undermines constructive dialogue.
The Problem with Social Media
The challenges at X are reflective of deeper issues within the social media landscape as a whole. What once felt like a democratising force—giving everyone a voice and bringing people together—has increasingly become a tool for division.
For charities and community organisations, this presents a painful dilemma. Social media at its best allowed us to hear directly from the communities we serve, to amplify their priorities, and to enrich our work with their insight. But, regrettably, that version of Twitter no longer exists.
The conclusion we’ve come to is that we can no longer ask our staff, volunteers, or supporters to be part of a space that normalises harm. It’s a decision rooted in our commitment to doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest thing.
What’s Next?
At Keep Wales Tidy, we’ve made our choice. We’re leaving X because we believe in the power of positive action, and we believe that the platforms we use should reflect the values we hold.
But that doesn’t mean we’re disappearing from social media entirely. We’ll be keeping our presence on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and we’ll be moving our X following over to Bluesky, a platform that shows promise for fostering healthier online communities.
It’s a small step in the grand scheme of things, but one we hope will spark a larger conversation about the role of social media in our society and the kind of digital world we want to create.
For us, this means finding new ways to connect with our communities, sharing their stories, and ensuring our work remains guided by the values that have defined us for decades.
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Follow Keep Wales Tidy on BlueSky here - https://bsky.app/profile/keepwalestidy.cymru
Follow me on BlueSky here - https://bsky.app/profile/owenderbyshire.bsky.social