It seems tens of thousands of Twitter fans are abandoning the social media network in what is being called #Twexit. Some users are transitioning to a similar new service called Parler which is similar to Twitter, or they are moving to USA.Life which is like Facebook. The question is why?
#Brexit has been a buzzword in the UK for several years, as an apt description of the UK leaving the European Union. It has now been echoed by other famous departures such as #Mexit and now #Twexit. And, like #Brexit, there are leave and remain camps who have a lot to fight about!
Twitter leavers say censorship is the main reason, while remainers are glad to see the back of those who disagree with them. There are several farewell tweets to leavers basically saying ‘good riddance!’ So how did it come to this?
The main reason for #Twexit is the loss of freedom of speech. It is also why many are leaving Facebook. Ironically, these platforms, which have been the people’s voice in contrast to the established mass media have now become the established mass media.
Lately, more and more people have been banned from Twitter and Facebook, or suspended or ‘de-platformed’ as they call it. Perhaps in some cases, this may be justified but in most, it seems some users are being unfairly silenced while others are not. Some are being ‘fact-checked’ while others are able to say just what they like.
The timing of these suspensions seems to be due to the upcoming US election with a clear political bias. There also seems to be an ongoing strategy to reduce the followings of influencers with conservative points of view. Those who are Christian, Pro-Life, or pro-law and order seem to be penalised. The result is the rise of new platforms like Parler and USA.Life that provide some much-needed healthy competition.
Life after #Twexit
Parler user numbers sky-rocket
The new Parler platform has grown overnight by some 500,000 users as some of Twitter’s top influencers seek a fresh new opportunity to gain a following, without the threat of suspension. Pronounced ‘par-lay’, Parler comes from the French for talk and is the closest alternative to Twitter. Instead of tweets, you have parleys, upvotes and downvotes instead of likes and retweets are known as echoes.
Parler was founded by John Matze and Jared in 2018 as “the next generation of social media.” It’s pretty neat and seems to offer users the opportunity to build a new following quickly and easily without being held back by obstructive algorithms. Register to try Parler out for yourself. You can follow us on Parler at US Christian.
USA.Life the alternative to Facebook
USA.Life has also positioned itself as a champion of free speech, describing the platform as “the answer to Facebook and Twitter censoring Christians, conservatives and liberty.” It was started a year ago by Silicon Valley technology expert, Steven Andrew who is also developing a search engine, 1776Free, as an alternative to Google.
Similar to Facebook, the new social media platform enables viewers to like and love each other’s posts. It also has a patriotic flag option and the ability to react to a post with an ‘Amen’! USA.Life has “a pro-America algorithm” and offers users the ability to boost pages and posts simply by becoming a Pro member at a nominal cost. Register to try it out for yourself. You can follow us on Life.USA at US Christian.
Join the #Twexit Movement
Twexit.com invites social media users to reject censorship and exit Twitter. The site also features an open letter from Parler CEO, John Matze to Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey, criticizing Twitter’s leftwing bias.
Personally, as a Christian, I feel we need to be ‘salt and light’ everywhere, so I won’t be leaving any of my social media platforms. However, I want to be an early adopter of new social media initiatives like Parler and USA.Life who are making a bold stand for freedom of expression. In this new season, where social distancing has become the norm, we don’t have to follow the crowd. We can make our own way and have our own voice and ensure that it isn’t silenced.
Also read: USA.Life offers hope in face of coronavirus, providing an uplifting new social media experience
Al Gibson
Wordsmith, overcomer and exhorter. Al has a degree in Journalism and Media Studies and years of publishing experience in Africa, the UK, Israel and USA. He left South Africa in 2001 to work for GOD TV in England and is the author of three biographies. Blogs he writes for include GODTV.com; International Christian and UK and US Christian.
I recently left facebook for several reasons but mainly the censorship. FB made it clear long ago that they do not want to hear or read conservative posts. USA.life seems to be the alternative that I’ve been looking for. I have invited all my FB friends to join me. USA.life seems to be a little glitchy at times but I assume they are working on it.
God bless USA.life and Al Gibson. Thanks for supporting free speech.