Written by Kristina Vella
Sports-related individuals, such as fans, players, and officials, are regularly the targets of hateful comments on social media, including racial, sexist, homophobic, and other forms of prejudice. As a result, there is rising concern about the rise in online hate speech in the sports industry. Although discrimination and hate speech have always been difficulties in sports, the rise of social media has exacerbated these issues.
This year, the Maltese government declared that Bill 260 will strike a compromise between free speech and hate speech. The law will also define and make cyberstalking and cyberbullying into distinct offences that are subject to up to a 5-year sentence in prison and/or a fine of up to EUR 30,000. This was done in an effort to make clear what
these crimes are and to discourage people from doing them. Despite the existence of laws prohibiting hate speech, anti-hate organisations, sports governing bodies, and policy makers find it difficult to keep up with the rapid growth of online hatred.
How Social Media can negatively affect athletes
According to a study that was published in The Sport Journal in 2008, receiving negative feedback and hate mail can be distracting and cause bad moods, anxiety, tension, and an increase in mental energy consumption, all of which can affect an athlete’s capacity to perform effectively. For an athlete to concentrate on the minute aspects of the game that improve performance, such as observing ball movement, choosing the best shot to play, and positioning oneself to catch a high-speed ball, mental energy is necessary. Regardless of an athlete’s skill level, these tasks involve mental effort.
It is common knowledge that some sportsmen receive more media coverage than others since they are more well-known and attract more viewers and clickbait. It’s also common knowledge that individuals enjoy pointing out others’ flaws and reading about them. Because of this, these sportsmen might come under fire, regardless of the team’s success or loss. Media outlets may downplay their accomplishments while highlighting their weaknesses and giving readers the chance to do the same.
Ricky Williams is a good example of how media attention can negatively affect athletes. Williams, a highly talented NFL player, was a standout in college football. The enormous media attention he faced as a professional athlete, along with his social anxiety disorder and profound shyness, prompted him to give up the sport. Williams acknowledged that he dreaded speaking in front of the camera and even went so far as to wear eye shades inside his helmet to prevent eye contact. Williams had outstanding athletic ability, but he couldn’t manage the scrutiny and strain of playing professional football.
Overall, the impact of social media on mental health can be complex and paradoxical. It is important to keep in mind that these athletes are human and everyone makes mistakes.
Then as soon as they missed a penalty, they were not English, just black. Anyone can miss a penalty. Anyone can make a mistake in their line of work. But to be criticised like that should never happen. They are human.
Jude Bellingham
