Rising Above the Noise: Six Ways Student-Athletes Can Overcome Online Bullying

By: Chris Szabo - Rewild Coaching and Consulting

After a Tough Loss for student-athletes, the aftermath of a tough loss can be emotionally challenging, especially when the pressure to perform is amplified online. Social media provides an outlet for fans, friends, and anonymous users to express opinions-and unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to online bullying. As a coach, you can guide your athletes in managing and overcoming the negative effects of online harassment. Here are a few actionable strategies student-athletes can use to navigate this challenging experience:

Validate Their Feelings
Always acknowledge the emotional toll a loss can have on your athletes. Whether they were directly blamed for the defeat or just feel the weight of the loss, their feelings are valid. Encourage open communication and ensure they know it's okay to feel upset, frustrated, or angry. Validating their emotions can help them feel heard and less isolated.
Encourage Positive Self-Talk
Online bullying can amplify self-doubt and insecurity. Remind your athletes to refocus on their strengths and past successes, both on and off the field. One loss doesn't define their abilities or their future. Teaching them how to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations can empower them to rise above hurtful online interactions.
Set Boundaries with Social Media
Student-athletes may feel tempted to check social media after a loss, yet this often leads to more pain. Advise them to take a temporary break or adjust their privacy settings to limit exposure to negativity. This pause allows them time to self-regulate their emotions. Encourage them to unfollow or block toxic accounts that contribute to their distress. It might also be helpful to establish a team policy or personal boundary that discourages engaging with online critics-this works best when there's buy-in from team leaders.
Offer Support Networks
The emotional impact of online bullying can be reduced when athletes have a strong support system. Make sure your athletes know they have people to turn to, whether it's teammates, friends, family, or a counselor. Encouraging peer support within the team fosters a sense of community and reminds athletes they're not alone in their struggles.
Teach Resilience and Digital Literacy
Resilience rules the day. Equip your athletes with the tools to build mental strength in the face of online negativity. This includes understanding that criticism is often a reflection of others' opinions-not objective truth. Remind them that it's easy to be a critical outsider; it's much harder to be in the ring doing the work. Provide resources on digital literacy and online safety, and teach them how to manage their online presence and respond to trolls without escalating conflict.
Report and Block
It's crucial that athletes know when and how to report online bullying. Most social media platforms have mechanisms to report harassment, and it's important they feel empowered to use them. Remind your athletes that blocking toxic individuals is a form of self-care-and that their mental health should always be a priority. Open communication with the coach about these issues is also key.

Losses can sting, but they hurt even more when compounded by online bullying. With the right tools and support, student-athletes can successfully navigate this challenge. As a coach, your role is to provide a safe space for emotional expression, share effective strategies for handling online negativity, and guide them in building resilience both on and off the field. It may not be realistic to eliminate negativity online, but with your help, they can overcome emotional hurdles and emerge stronger, ready for the next challenge.