Twitter revolutionizes the way other users can interact with our tweets: move against haters or limit to freedom of expression?
Giuseppe Croce Journalist
Peppe Croce, journalist since 2008, deals with electronic devices and new technologies applied to the automotive world. He joined Libero Tecnologia in 2018.
There are many features that Twitter has chosen to introduce during the current year. With the latest addition, the twitter platform has added a further piece to one of the most delicate aspects, namely that of interaction with users: it is now possible to choose who can respond to our tweets.
The new integration aims to make the user experience even more complete, a process that the short message social network has been undertaking for some time and of which it has made it its goal for the near future. Recently, some features have emerged that are currently in the testing phase and could soon become part of the daily routine for its members. Among these, there is the possibility of undoing the message just posted or the so-called "Trusted Friends", a circle of selected contacts with whom to share their content. With this expedient of the comments, therefore, the entire life cycle of the tweet would end up under the complete control of the user: here's how.
Twitter, how the new replies work
The function is already active and can be used simply by entering your user profile. In fact, the limitation to replies can be applied both to new tweets, before pressing the send button, and to those already published, thus leaving the subscribers total freedom of action.
In the area dedicated to the writing of content, there is a wording that automatically opens the interaction with each subscriber. In order to modify it, it is sufficient to click - or tap, if from a mobile device - on "Anyone can answer" and opt for one of the items "Who you follow" or "Only who you mention" in the menu that appears.
As far as the past is concerned, the change can be made by selecting the three-dot icon available at the top right of the publications. In the menu that appears, proceed by clicking on "Modify who can answer" and then on one of the two available alternatives. Obviously, the operation is reversible: just repeat the same path, taking care to activate the option "All".
Twitter, lights and shadows on the function
If for the CEO of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, this is a step forward to "increase the health of public conversations", some have been skeptical of the opportunity. Limiting the audience with which to engage in dialogue has been compared to banning criticism and differing opinions, especially in the case of heated debates. By the most, instead, it's seen as a manna against the toxic behaviors with which we sometimes come across on the net.
Who's right? It's hard to say. In the meantime, it's best to leave the arguments in the corner and try out the functionality and its usefulness.