IN the last few months, I think the internet has been a saviour to so many people for so many different reasons. It has kept athletes connected with their sport and supporters, as well as giving a voice and platform to those who may not get sufficient coverage of their sport on a regular basis.
That is why it was so disturbing to read the results of a survey of elite British sportswomen. The BBC survey found several have been targets of extreme trolling. This has left them calling for help to ensure this type of behaviour is challenged and stopped.
About 30% have been trolled, a figure that doubled in the past five years. It’s easy to say: “Just ignore it and it will go away”, but once something has been seen, for so many it cannot be forgotten. The impact on an individual’s mental health is incalculable and the further impact it could have on their daily life, never mind their training and performance, could be catastrophic.
With many tournaments and events cancelled, we need to ensure our athletes are mentally prepared to continue.
Add this to the 2019 International Olympic Committee census which found that mental health disorders – especially eating disorders – were extremely prevalent in elite female athletes and you begin to understand the pressure they face.
We will need our elite role models to help bring young women and girls back into sport when restrictions allow and social media is the perfect platform, available to those who may not be making the back pages of newspapers or getting exposure on TV or radio.
Ensuring these mindless trolls are taken to task over their comments is therefore imperative on so many levels. We cannot ignore the long-term consequences lockdown is going to have on people’s health, with statistics on obesity, mental health and heart disease already showing we need our role models for the future health of our children.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here