Musk’s Twitter takeover fuels endless scrolling
Elon Musk’s $44 billion acquisition of Twitter has unsettled users, employees, and industry observers. Many now spend hours scrolling through updates about the platform’s uncertain future.
Musk’s ownership raises concerns
The deal, approved by Twitter’s board of directors on Monday, places the billionaire in charge of a platform he has often used to shape his public image. Twitter has long struggled with harassment, misinformation, and automated spam accounts. Musk’s past actions have done little to reassure those worried about its direction.
“Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated,” he said in a statement. Critics point out that his record suggests a different approach. Tesla has faced repeated reports of safety violations, racial discrimination, and retaliatory firings. His public conflicts with journalists, analysts, and customers have reinforced perceptions of an executive who uses his influence aggressively.
A reporter covering extremism wrote on the platform: “There are plenty of models for where this site is likely headed. I cover extremism and lies for a living. You won’t like it.” Comedian Lee Camp was more direct: “Let’s hope he treats Twitter far better than he treats his workers, the environment, or the animals involved in Neuralink experiments.”
A journalism professor at the University of Texas summed it up: “All this time I’ve been saying Twitter was broken, I hadn’t considered how much worse it could become.”
Users return to doomscrolling amid uncertainty
The habit of endlessly refreshing social media for bad news gained traction during crises like the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Musk’s takeover has revived it. For many, Twitter serves as a professional tool, a news source, and a community. The fear of its decline has left users compulsively checking for updates.
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An economics reporter described a “high level of uncertainty” among employees during a meeting about the transition. The anxiety extends beyond staff. Former President Donald Trump’s history of inflammatory posts, which led to his permanent suspension after the January 6 Capitol riot, has become a focal point.
Studies have connected excessive doomscrolling to poorer mental health. Yet the habit remains, driven by a mix of curiosity and concern.
The financial details of the deal are clear: shareholders will receive $54.20 per share, a 38% premium over the stock’s April 1 closing price. The cultural and operational consequences, however, remain unclear. Musk’s history of suppressing dissent—through legal threats, public shaming, or sudden policy changes—suggests stability may not be a priority.
The habit shows no signs of stopping.
While some look for alternatives, others have turned to natural hydration options as a way to step back from digital overload.
