Community-owned social network Tŵt, established in 2018, has announced a new six-week campaign titled “Pethau Bychain” (Little Things). The movement aims to shape a distinctive digital culture in Wales, centred on online independence and inspired by the teachings of Dewi Sant.
The campaign leads into the official debut of Tŵt’s new app on St David’s Day. Over the coming weeks, the platform will publish a series of reflections examining how minor but meaningful online practices – from adding alt text to using language labels – can help build a “digital commons” that truly belongs to the people of Wales.
“We are at a turning point in how we exist online,” said Jaz-Michael King, Director at Tŵt Cymru. “The legacy platforms are failing to provide safe, joyful spaces for community connection. By focusing on the “pethau bychain”, we are proving that digital sovereignty isn’t just about technology; it’s about hospitality, kindness, and taking control of our own digital heritage. This is our cyfraniad to Cymru – our contribution to the nation.”
Tŵt operates within the fast-growing Social Web, or Fediverse, a decentralised network of independent platforms designed as a people-first alternative to traditional social media. Through this system, users can connect easily with other UK-based communities such as mastodonapp.uk and mastodon.scot, alongside thousands of users worldwide. Unlike commercial platforms, Tŵt is free from advertising and data harvesting. It is governed by its members, ensuring community values always take priority over profit.
“The difference with Tŵt is that the people using the platform have a real say in how it’s run. Moderation isn’t outsourced or automated, it’s rooted in our shared values as a community. We’re accountable to each other, not to shareholders or algorithms,” said Jayne Samuel-Walker, community moderator at Tŵt.
This project showcases a community-care model that reaches beyond Wales, offering inspiration to digital communities across the globe.
The campaign will reach its finale with a community event in Cardiff on the evening of 28 February, bringing together supporters and digital trailblazers on the eve of the app’s official launch.
For further details about the “Pethau Bychain” series or to RSVP for the Cardiff gathering, visit croeso.toot.wales.