Toxicity amongst Twitter users and bots has spiraled out of control, and it seems like the nastiest of statements spewed are rewarded by other cyber harassers.

It’s no secret that Twitter is a bottomless pit of misinformation, spam accounts and cyberbullying. But unfortunately, checks and balances don’t appear on one of the world’s most popular social media platforms.

On other social media platforms, users show their disapproval of someone or something through a simple emoticon; Twitter doesn’t have that. To show disapproval of something there, users must leave a reply. This creates a horrendous environment for other Twitter users but it is almost expected of the app.

The spread of political messaging, misinformation or simple opinions tends to raise the worst emotions in ordinarily decent people. However, there are ways to get around the toxicity of the app.

Users can create private lists that keep their curiosity towards topics they’re interested in that won’t affect their mood. In addition, Twitter has some beautiful, innovative features that make the app stand out more than the others.

Users can get breaking news, interact with people they couldn’t before and have access to the work of journalists immediately.

As of Oct. 28, 2022, Twitter changed hands of ownership. SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk completed the $44 billion purchase of Twitter with a mission to give more freedom to its users on the app and make Twitter a financial goldmine.

Musk wants to loosen the standards of Twitter more than they already are. The little censorship that Twitter has will be revoked. Musk wants to make a statement against social media companies that have restricted free speech by putting the future of the app’s hands to “spiderman6969” or “user8314567” rather than corporate spies.

Musk didn’t waste any time executing his vision for the app. Financially, Musk gutted 7,500 Twitter employees, bringing the company down to 2,000 employees. Pleasing the investors, Musk wants to make Twitter into the “money-making machine” that it could be.

Musk plans to give Twitter exclusive content to people solely invested in the app. For $8 a month, users will have their identity verified and access to replies, mentions and searches. This premium subscription will give content creators more visibility and potential financial gain.

Musk’s new rules for Twitter could be more transparent, however. Musk wants to give everyone proper access to free speech for $8 a month. In addition, Musk intends to boot spam accounts and accounts that are harassing bullies, but with the new way of the app, this only seems like it will beef up those trolling bots.

Also, the new rules explicitly prohibit actions such as the glorification of violence, acts of terrorism, child sexual exploitation and targeted harassment. That would be a step forward.

Does Elon think it was worth the long and ugly legal battle to take advantage of people’s free speech financially? This writer believes he thinks so.

Is Twitter on the right path? For the price of $8, no. Free speech should be free. Musk can make improvements and limit the toxicity of the app in other innovative and simple ways. The culture might change, which could be excellent, but the new construction of the app could and should be built with bricks instead of twigs.

Edited by Glorianna Noland, Rakesh Swarnakar