On July 5, 2023, a social media app created by Meta made its long-awaited debut. Threads became the fastest-growing app in history after reaching 100 million users within five days of its launch (Forbes).
The app, very similar in design and function to Twitter/X, was speculated to defeat the social media giant once and for all. The question is, now that it’s been over a month since the launch, is Threads the new Twitter?
According to Washburn students, the answer is no. We took a convenience sample of 30 students and surveyed them on which of the two apps they prefer. Twitter came out on top by far with preference from 17 students, whereas 5 students preferred Threads. 8 students were undecided, with the majority of those who selected this category doing so because they didn’t know what Threads was.
The decision was a no-brainer for Hunter Wise, mass media senior, who dislikes Threads’ heavy censorship of user-generated content.
“Twitter 100%,” Wise said. “The freedom of speech exists on X. On Threads, you’re under a harsh restriction.”
Another reason students gave for choosing Twitter is its familiarity. Zephyr Stottlemire, anthropology junior, explained that switching to Threads would be more of a hassle than anything, despite its Instagram-linked programming that populates users’ profile details and follow lists.
“Everyone I already follow, everything I already care about, I already have set up on Twitter. I’ve been on Twitter for years, I don’t want to have to work with a new algorithm to figure out the same things that I like if I can just use Twitter,” Stottlemire said.
Bailey Collar, mass media junior, has stuck with Twitter because of originality.
“I never downloaded Threads just because I wanted to use the original version, not a remake of Twitter,” Collar said.
The dislike of Twitter was the main reason for those who chose Threads. Urshula Manandhar, finance and data analytics junior, revealed that Twitter’s leadership change has impacted her opinion of the app.
“I used to love Twitter, but ever since Elon Musk took over it, I hate it. You need to pay for everything, like Twitter Blue. And there are a lot of limitations now. I feel like it’s cheap,” Manandhar said.
Even those who prefer Twitter agree that Musk’s leadership and the change to X haven’t been good for the company’s reputation.
“I’m not a big fan of the name change to X. It sounds like a drug company,” said Sam Revel, sophomore kinesiology and rehab science major.
Nevertheless, it appears that Twitter is still the preferred short messaging app among Washburn students. Khoa Hyunh, marketing and international business junior, has kept a positive outlook on Twitter despite its recent decisions and competitors.
“Twitter is more formal and most famous people use it. It’s better than any other social media application. It’s cool and easy to use.”
It’s difficult to predict how Threads will progress as an app as it is still in its early stages, but perhaps it will find its place in the realm of social media.
If interested in trying out these apps, create a Twitter/X account here. To get started on Threads, click here.
Below are thoughts from a few students on Twitter vs. Thread.
Edited by LeSha’ Davis and Aja Carter
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Poll Results
Twitter = 17
Threads = 5
Undecided/Don’t Use Either/Neither = 8
Twitter
Bailey Collar
Mass Media
Junior
“I never downloaded Threads just because I wanted to use the original version, not a remake of Twitter.”
Khoa Hyunh
Marketing and International Business
Junior
“Twitter’s more formal and most famous people use it. It’s better than any other social media application. It’s cool and easy to use.”
Hayden Hotchkiss
Master of Business
First-years Masters Student
“There’s no auto-translate on Threads, so that’s a drawback.”
Yvonn Razo Alatorre
Criminal Justice
Sophomore
“I don’t have Threads. I’m not even on Twitter that much either.”
Hunter Wise
Mass Media
Senior
“Twitter 100%. It’s actually X now. I think Twitter’s a better name. You can actually speak your mind and the freedom of speech actually applies on that platform. On Threads, you’re under a harsh restriction. The freedom of speech exists on X. Yeah I’m not a big fan of the name change.”
Sam Revel
Sophomore
“I’m not a big fan of the name change to X. It sounds like a drug company.”
Zephyr Stottlemire
Anthropology
Junior
“Threads had a bunch of bugs in the beginning and a lot of things weren’t working. Everyone I already follow, everything I already care about, I already have set up on Twitter. I’ve been on Twitter for years, I don’t want to have to work with a new algorithm to figure out the same things that I like if I can just use Twitter.”
Threads
Wesley Monaghan
Double majoring in Environmental Biology and Criminal Justice
Sophomore
“I’ve never liked Twitter.”
Urshula Manandhar
Finance & Data Analytics
Junior
“I honestly don’t like either of them because… I just don’t know what Threads is. I used to love Twitter, but ever since Elon Musk took over it, I hate it. Because you need to pay for everything, for the Blue. And there are a lot of limitations now. I just hate Twitter now because of Elon Musk. I feel like it’s cheap. So I would say Threads; it’s kind of just entertaining to see.”
Undecided
Sawyer Hall
Accounting
Freshman
“I don’t really like Twitter. I’m just not very up-to-date on social media.”
Isaac Hickman
General Business
Sophomore
“I’ve never had either. I’m not a big fan of social media.”
