Exploring Pro’s & Con’s of Social Medial Visibility for Athletes’

Social media engagement in athletes lives is here to stay. An athletes ability to market/brand him/herself and create a large fan following can lead to profitable Name/Image/Likeness (NIL) deals for collegians. Social media presence for professional athletes can enhance endorsements at the next level.

An athlete with an on-line presence has the task of balancing mental and physical performance training/competition with devoting additional energy to create content for on-line exposure. A few potential upsides to being on social media platforms:

• Fans have an opportunity to feel closer to the athlete both on the field and off.

• It can be rewarding for athlete to receive positive comments, likes, verbal applause from fans.
• A large social media following can be a catalyst for commercial deals.
• Social media presence can be a spring board where a lesser known athlete posts a lot and in the process gains visibility. 

A few downsides that can occur:

• If athlete has a poor or less then expected performance he/she can become target for untethered fan criticism.
• Too much time spent creating, scrolling content or engaging in discussions online can activate a mental state of hyperarousal. Over time this can lead to low sleep quality, which can develop into irritability, difficulty sleeping, symptoms of anxiety and poor performance.
• Real or self imposed pressure to stay visible producing unique content to keep fans tuned in is time consuming.
• An athlete with underlying anxiety or depression may be more vulnerable to the highs & lows of fan comments.

The topic of social media pro’s & con’s is a vast subject and continues to evolve. As Sport Psychology professionals become more attuned to this issue guide-lines to protect athletes mental health are being suggested. Listed below are a few boundaries for athletes to consider to safeguard their time and mental health as they engage in these platforms. 

* Track the number of hours dedicated to creating content and fan engagement. Decide how best to divide your time between, (if student) academics, athletic practice/competition, mental training and social media.

*  Avoid the distraction of social media ahead of competition

*  Turn off all electronic devices two hours prior to bedtime. This eliminates pings, dings, thatcreate a reflex action to respond.

* If experiencing difficulty creating strategies or sticking with strategies around participating on-line an option is to meet with a qualified Sport Psychology Consultant to work on creating healthy boundaries. 

Social media visibility can be a useful addition to an athletes identity. The goal is to educatethe athlete so it is a tool to empower their athletic presence. 

Articles to check out to get you started: 

CoCo Gauff’s TikTok Inspiration: The Weight Of Social Media On Athletes. By Brook Choulet, M.D https://bit.ly/47QTtzh

Mental Health is Central to Sport-And With Mounting Pressures for Athletes, Prioritizing It is Pivotal. By Zoe Weiner https://bit.ly/3zFdKv4

Protecting athletes’ mental health from social media risks. By Nadine A. Yehy https://bit.ly/4eKP3MG