Maintaining an X (Twitter) Account Amid Rising Toxicity and Anonymity, Alongside the Dilemma Created for Public Sector Organisations

Social media platforms play a crucial role in professional networking, brand building and reputation management, and personal expression. X (formerly Twitter) is an influential platform, offering real-time communication and quite the reach, arguably establishing itself as an essential tool for communication, public engagement, and information dissemination. However, its ever-growing association with toxic behaviour particularly through anonymous accounts has led to a growing debate: Should professionals maintain an X account? As X becomes increasingly associated with toxicity, misinformation, and ethical controversies, public sector organisations are also facing a growing dilemma: Does maintaining a presence on X align with their core values and responsibilities?

I thought I would contemplate the dilemma of maintaining an X account in this digital landscape.

Visibility and Reach

X is a powerful tool for amplifying your voice, reaching diverse audiences, and engaging in global conversations. For professionals, this visibility can lead to networking opportunities, thought leadership, and growth. It’s a platform where news breaks, trends emerge, and key industry conversations take place.

Real-Time Engagement

The platform’s immediacy allows for real-time interaction, which is invaluable for staying current in your field. Professionals can quickly share insights, respond to events, and participate in trending discussions, positioning themselves as active contributors to their industry.

Networking Opportunities

Despite the toxicity, X remains a hub for professionals across industries. Engaging with peers, potential clients or service users, and industry leaders can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and career advancements. The ability to follow and interact with leaders in your field without barriers is a unique advantage.

Brand/Reputation Building

For businesses or organisations and individuals alike, X offers a platform to build and maintain a brand or reputation. Consistent, strategic posting can establish your authority in your field, expand your influence, and connect with like-minded individuals.

Toxic Environment

The platform has become notorious for its toxic culture. Trolls and negativity are rampant, which can detract from the professional value of the platform. Engaging on X can sometimes expose professionals to unnecessary stress and reputational risk, which can outweigh the benefits.

Anonymity and Its Consequences

X's allowance for anonymous accounts often leads to a lack of accountability, enabling harmful behaviour. Professionals may find that the anonymous nature of interactions undermines the authenticity and reliability of conversations, making meaningful engagement challenging.

Time and Mental Health

The time investment required to maintain an active and positive presence on X can be significant. Coupled with the potential for exposure to negativity, this can take a toll on mental health. Professionals need to consider whether the platform’s benefits are worth the personal cost.

Declining Value for Professional Use

As the platform becomes increasingly dominated by divisive content and sensationalism, its value for professional use is arguably diminishing. Some professionals may find that alternative platforms offer more constructive environments for meaningful engagement and networking.

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The Role of Public Sector Organisations on X

Public sector organisations have historically used X to:

??? Disseminate Information Quickly: X provides a platform for real-time communication, allowing organisations to share important information instantly with a wide audience. For emergency services particularly, or where speed is essential, the scale of reach has been attractive.

??? Engage with the public: X facilitates direct interaction with the public, enabling organisations to address concerns, gather feedback, and foster a sense of community or belonging.

??? Promote Transparency: By sharing updates and decisions openly on X, public sector bodies can enhance transparency and build trust with the communities they serve.

Despite these advantages, the platform’s evolving nature presents new ethical challenges that cannot be ignored.

The Ethical Dilemma: Alignment with Values

Misinformation and Public Trust

X has become a breeding ground for misinformation and conspiracy theories, which can spread rapidly and undermine public trust in institutions. Public sector organisations, committed to upholding truth and integrity particularly in health where candour is essential, face a dilemma: By maintaining a presence on X, are they inadvertently legitimising a platform that often contradicts these values?

Toxicity and Harassment

The rise of toxic behaviour on X, including hate speech, poses another ethical challenge. Public sector organisations are dedicated to fostering safe, inclusive environments. Yet, by engaging on a platform where such behaviour is obviously apparent (perhaps unchallenged), they risk being associated with, or even enabling, a culture of hostility that conflicts with their values of respect and equality.

Anonymity and Accountability

X’s support for anonymous accounts has led to a lack of accountability, encouraging harmful behaviour that public sector organisations would never condone in other contexts. The question arises: Can these organisations, which prioritise accountability and responsibility, continue to engage on a platform where these principles are so frequently disregarded?

Impacts on Vulnerable Communities

Public sector organisations often serve vulnerable populations who may be disproportionately affected by the negative aspects of X. Whether it’s the spread of harmful misinformation or exposure to online abuse, the ethical implications of remaining active on a platform that could harm the very communities they aim to protect are profound.

Balancing Benefits and Ethical Considerations

While these ethical dilemmas are significant, completely abandoning X is not a straightforward decision. Public sector organisations must carefully balance the benefits of maintaining a presence on the platform such as reaching a large audience and providing timely information with the ethical concerns that have emerged.

Conclusion

There are some possible approaches that may be considered. For example, strengthened organisational ethical guidelines, selective engagement, publicly addressing the dilemma, or exploring alternatives. The ethical dilemmas associated with maintaining a presence on X are becoming increasingly difficult for public sector organisations to ignore. As stewards of public trust, these organisations must weigh the benefits of engagement against the potential risks to their values and the communities they serve. By adopting thoughtful, ethical approaches to their social media strategies, public sector organisations can continue to fulfil their mission while navigating the challenges of an ever-evolving digital landscape. The bandwidth to keeping up is a different discussion.

The decision to maintain a personal professional X account is ultimately a personal one, dependent on your professional goals, tolerance for the platform’s challenges, and the value you derive from it. While X offers visibility and real-time engagement, the toxicity and anonymity associated with it can be significant drawbacks. Professionals must weigh these factors carefully and consider whether alternative platforms might better serve their needs in a healthier, more constructive manner.