‘Something has to change’

A global brand with a presence on Leeside is turning its back on some social media platforms.

Lush will be leaving Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat from tomorrow, 26 November, until, it said, “they take action to provide a safer environment for users”.

This policy is rolling out across all the 48 countries where Lush operates.

In a statement Lush said: “Like so many teenagers have experienced before us, Lush has tried to come off social media, but our FOMO is vast, and our compulsion to use the various platforms means we find ourselves back on there, despite our best intentions. So here we are again, trying to go cold (plant-based) turkey.

Lush previously attempted this in 2019.

Lush said it wouldn’t ask its customers to meet it down a dark and dangerous alleyway, but some social media platforms are beginning to feel like places no one should be encouraged to go.

“Something has to change,” said the statement.

Lush’s statement continued: “We hope that platforms will introduce strong best practice guidelines, and we hope that international regulation will be passed into law. But we can’t wait. We feel forced to take our own action to shield our customers from the harm and manipulation they may experience whilst trying to connect with us on social media. So Lush will be signing out from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, until these platforms can provide a safer environment for their users.”

The Lush statement concluded: “Lush promises not to be completely anti-social. We will do all we can to find new ways to connect, to build better channels of communication elsewhere, as well as using the older tried and tested routes. For now we can still be found on Twitter and YouTube – no need to click Like, Subscribe or Get Notifications, people can just pop along to check us out when they fancy.”

Jack Constantine, Lush CDO and Product Inventor, said: “As an inventor of bath bombs, I pour all my efforts into creating products that help people switch off, relax and pay attention to their wellbeing. Social media platforms have become the antithesis of this aim, with algorithms designed to keep people scrolling and stop them from switching off and relaxing.”

Mark Constantine OBE, Co-founder, CEO and Product Inventor, said: “I’ve spent all my life avoiding putting harmful ingredients in my products. There is now overwhelming evidence we are being put at risk when using social media. I’m not willing to expose my customers to this harm, so it’s time to take it out of the mix.”