Recently, several universities in Île-de-France, including Paris-Saclay University and Paris 8 University, decided to suspend their activities on the social network X, formerly known as Twitter. This decision comes in response to growing concerns about the evolution of the platform’s moderation policies, as well as its compatibility with the academic and social values of the institutions. In this context, these universities are turning to other social networks while affirming their commitment to transparent and respectful communication.
Reasons for the suspension on X
The decision by Paris-Saclay University to leave the social network was motivated by significant changes in X’s editorial policy. The various faculties and schools that make up the university, including Polytech Paris-Saclay and AgroParisTech, unanimously expressed their concern about a deterioration of quality and reliability of the information shared on the platform. The university’s management emphasized that these developments have compromised the possibilities for “constructive and peaceful exchanges,” as well as an active and interactive communication on social media.
Values in conflict with the platform
The core values of the university, namely tolerance, humanism, and academic integrity, are at odds with what the platform now represents. By disregarding the European Code of Good Practice against misinformation, X has been deemed incompatible with the principles that the university upholds. This realization has led the institution to withdraw, putting aside the platform where it had nearly 32,500 followers, to preserve its image and values.
A decision shared by other institutions
Paris 8 University has also taken a similar position. After a thorough consultation with different stakeholders at the institution, it was decided to put its X account on hold. This decision is particularly motivated by the multiplication of false information and the recurring moderation problems on X, thus compromising the safety and integrity of exchanges. In fact, the university has noted a fundamental divergence between its values of inclusion, diversity, and freedom of expression, and the directions adopted by the platform.
New communication orientations
Despite their withdrawal from X, the universities in Île-de-France are not abandoning their presence on social media. Paris-Saclay and Paris 8 reaffirm their commitment to communicate on other platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Moreover, these institutions have recently launched accounts on the new social network Bluesky, thus presenting themselves as proactive actors concerned with selecting digital environments that respect their values.
A phenomenon expanded to other French universities
This withdrawal from the social network X is not an isolated phenomenon. Other French universities, such as those in Strasbourg, Bordeaux, and Aix-Marseille, have also made similar decisions, signaling a collective reflection on the use of social media in teaching and research. Faced with a growing misinformation and difficulties in moderation, these institutions are evaluating the impacts of their communication and taking steps to maintain an ethical and respectful framework.
Conclusion on the evolution of social media use
The recently observed disengagement of the universities in Île-de-France from the X platform highlights a need for reevaluation of their presence on social media. At a time when the debate over misinformation and content moderation measures is gaining momentum, these institutions, by maintaining their communication on platforms more aligned with their values, position themselves as responsible actors in the academic and social landscape. Furthermore, the decision to join Bluesky reflects a desire to adapt to new trends while reinforcing their commitments to integrity and transparency.
