Negative psychological effects of social media on a sportsperson

Social media refers to the online tools and programs that let users create, distribute, and interact with one

another through online communities and networks like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. They are now

essential to our continued existence. Similar to other people, athletes rely on technology to interact with

their families and complete other activities. An athlete who participates in competitive physical activity or

games, such as football, cricket, tennis, etc., is referred to as a sportsperson. Returning to the subject of

social media, it is clear to us that there are a lot of drawbacks to it as well. Why? Considering that it can

harm a person's mental and emotional health, leading to anxiety, melancholy, stress, etc. These are known

as adverse psychological effects.On the other hand, it has detrimental social ramifications, including harm

to a person's family and close friends, detrimental impacts on social ties and interactions, etc. Social

media may have a significant impact on athletes' mental health and well-being as well as their

on- and off-field performance because they are frequently in the public eye and subject to intense

scrutiny and criticism.

According to a PFA-funded survey, 44% of players have experienced online abuse or harassment,

with 39% of those incidents occurring on social media platforms. Athletes frequently hear racial epithets

and derogatory remarks due to their subpar play on the field. This type of abuse is unacceptable

because it not only has a negative impact on the players but also fosters a hostile environment where

people are vulnerable to harassment and discrimination based on their race or skin color. The most

recent prominent case of racial abuse happened when England's Bukhayo Saka, Marcus Rashford,

and Jadon Sancho were subjected to severe online harassment by racists after missing their penalty

attempts in the Euro 2020 championship final. The English Football Association's president,

Prince William, deemed the three players' treatment to be deplorable and demanded an end to it.

Participants may have really distressing experiences due to these kinds of incidents.

Many football players are closing their social media accounts due to the stress that it may cause.

This was taken into account when Michael Bennet, the Professional Footballers' Association's director of

player welfare, told the BBC in an interview that players felt they had "no escape from football"

because of social media. He told BBC Sport, "I have spoken to gamers whose accounts have been

disabled.

Another case of online harassment or "trolls" can be found right here in our own country.

National team batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto reportedly said in an article published by

The Business Standard on January 24, 2023, that while the harsh criticism he received from fans on

social media platforms was difficult for him to process, it was even harder for his family and

close friends who do not understand these things very well. Shanto has received criticism for his

subpar performance over the past two to three years, but these criticisms have frequently gone

beyond what is acceptable. He expressed his deep concern that these cruel comments on social

media were having a terrible influence on his family and were making them social outcasts.

He didn't say that people shouldn't criticize him while he was having a bad stretch of form,

but he did say that it would be better for him and his family if it was done with some respect.

As a human being, I am more than aware that no one deserve such hate and harassment.

Thus, here concluding my blog with the hope that the world shall change one day in a positive way