#SaveTwitter began trending on Twitter (where else?) today, with a rumor having been circulated suggesting that the social network will be shutting down because of “bullying.”
As you’d expect, this rumor is untrue. Though Twitter is notably struggling with trying to expand its number of users and reengage with its inactive accounts, there are no confirmed reports whatsoever that Twitter will be shutting down next year. Yes, the social network has been in the news quite a bit recently regarding its struggles to control abusive comments on the platform – most notably the torrent of racist abuse Ghostbusters actress Leslie Jones received last month – but the site isn’t shutting down regardless of this issue.
Still, that hasn’t prevented many from continuing to spread the message that Twitter will soon cease to exist:
If you’re shutting down Twitter for cyber bullying might as well shut down every other website lmao #savetwitter
— happy lil trev (@thetrevormorris) August 11, 2016
I use Twitter more than the toilet don’t shut it down #savetwitter
— Amy (@amyxplier) August 11, 2016
Tumblr is too complicated
Instagram is too basic
Facebook is horrid
MySpace is dead
Don’t do this to me
#savetwitter— 오 세훈 (@sebootie) August 11, 2016
If twitter ends ill be forced to actually socialize with people #savetwitter pic.twitter.com/z0GFv6NB29
— ㅤㅤㅤㅤ (@journalsrat) August 11, 2016
How they go take twitter down and Facebook still up #savetwitter
— Deon won’t change (@Keep_your_lies_) August 11, 2016
All #savetwitter followers, would you be upset if Twitter was bought over by another big company? Vote and RT.
— Shuja Rabbani (@ShujaRabbani) August 11, 2016
Just heard twitter may be shutting down early 2017… #SaveTwitter pic.twitter.com/m0w9rQKdVy
— choiboii (@Enixus21) August 11, 2016
According to comments from those using the hashtag, the trending topic started as a result of controversial YouTuber BradTheLadLong posted a series of hateful messages he had received on the social network. However, it’s now spiraled so far out of control that it’s difficult to ascertain the exact origin of the rumor – not that it matters anyway, considering that the site is definitely not shutting down, regardless of its moderators’ futile attempts to prevent bullying on the platform.
