Many organisations are following suit
Another leading charity has ditched social media platform X citing its “increasingly divisive nature.”
Umbrella body Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (Nicva) says it did so for the safety of its staff and privacy concerns.
The body stated that after careful review “..we believe that the increasingly divisive nature of X, along with an increase in the promotion of false, negative and hateful messaging, does not align with our values of courage, collaboration, caring and commitment to excellence.”
Nicva said it has a broad social media presence across multiple platforms and this decision presents an opportunity to define the best way to engage with audiences as social media platforms continue to change over time.
“While we are choosing to focus on other, safer social media channels - we will continue to monitor these in light of our values,” the body said.
NICVA is also developing a new social media strategy.
Surely it's time to see a similar principled stand - and call to action - from SCVO.
NIVCA’s decision to leave X demonstrates a clear and deeper understanding that those of us who embrace the "values of courage, collaboration, caring and commitment to excellence" should be standing together and allying with organisations who share our values. Moving from X is absolutely not about engaging, or not engaging, with people who agree or disagree with us – that is just a distraction.
By sticking around on X, we are only further empowering Musk. By withdrawing our custom - in the form of our extremely valuable data, as well as our dependence on the platform and our links on it - and moving to more values-aligned digital platforms, we are helping to build up more ethical alternatives for everyone else too. It’s a relatively short term hit for real long-term gain.
One of the reasons organisations don’t leave X is anxiety at losing years of work spent building up a profile, connections and alliances. The Third Sector in Scotland should be setting a date for a mass move – we could even make it a fun event by celebrating the move. Together. Why not? What we need now, more than ever, is solidarity and a collective response. SCVO is in an ideal position to lead on this in Scotland.
Gordon Brown’s article at the week-end calls for collaborative approach to the looming crises on a much larger canvas in relation to governments worldwide [The Old World Order is gone. Now we must build a new one].
It’s high time for us to use what power we have – collectively - to change the game.