(In England) Lionesses Shun Social Media Amid Rising Online Abuse Ahead of Euros

 

Several key members of England’s women’s national football team have spoken out about the damaging effects of social media ahead of the UEFA Women’s European Championship, which begins next month in Switzerland. Alessia Russo, Lauren James, and Lucy Bronze are among the players who have decided to step away from social media during the tournament to protect their mental well-being.

Arsenal striker Russo explained that she had someone else manage her Instagram account during the 2023 Women’s World Cup and plans to do the same this summer. She shared how reading online criticism in her younger years had affected her deeply and that she now focuses only on the opinions of her teammates, coaches, and family.

The decision to disengage from social media is not unique to Russo. Lauren James of Chelsea pointed out how online abuse can go beyond performance-based criticism. She shared that she has received abuse even for how her character performs in the FIFA video game. James noted that although such attacks might hurt new players, she has learned to brush them off.

Lucy Bronze, also with Chelsea, emphasized that it’s not just the players who are targeted by online trolls but also their families. She described social media as both amazing and awful, saying that most players have chosen to log off at various points.

This growing awareness of online abuse has become more urgent as athletes across multiple sports continue to face threats and harassment. The England team’s move to avoid social media underlines their commitment to mental resilience as they prepare to defend their European title.

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The impact of online abuse on athletes continues to gain attention, and the England women’s national team is taking a clear stand on the issue before heading into their European Championship title defence.

Alessia Russo, a forward for Arsenal and a regular starter for England, said she’s experienced the darker side of social media. Reflecting on her previous tournaments, including the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Russo shared that she made a conscious decision to let someone else manage her social media to avoid harmful commentary. Her personal experience taught her that focusing on trusted voices  like her coaches, teammates, and family  helps her stay mentally strong.

Lauren James shared similar experiences. The Chelsea attacker revealed that she gets messages that have nothing to do with her real-life performance. Sometimes users become abusive just because her digital player card scores against them in the FIFA video game. While James has grown used to the negativity, she acknowledged how difficult it can be for younger players encountering that kind of attention for the first time.

Lucy Bronze added further insight, noting how the effects of online toxicity reach beyond players to their families. Even relatives who read cruel comments can become emotionally impacted. Bronze, who has been a pillar in the England defence for years, acknowledged that many of the players have taken breaks from social media to shield themselves from such exposure.

Their remarks come in the wake of similar revelations in other sports, such as tennis player Katie Boulter disclosing she received death threats.

England will begin their campaign on July 5 against France. The team is determined to focus on performance and unity  without the distraction and damage of social media noise. Mental health, they insist, will be part of their winning formula.