Athletes speak out on relentless online abuse they face in 2026

Athletes across sports endure persistent online abuse, with visibility amplifying both support and hostility.

Rising exposure fuels online hostility Online abuse in sports has surged as standout performances or medal wins instantly reach thousands. A single mistake or underwhelming game can invite criticism that feels deeply personal, anonymous, and unrestrained. When Wales football international Hannah Cain described the 'really ugly' abuse she received, she voiced a struggle faced by many athletes who rarely discuss it publicly. Her message struck a chord far beyond women’s football, where visibility for young players has never been greater—and neither has their vulnerability. ## Athletes share personal struggles with abuse Wales football international Hannah Cain posted on social media: 'There is no room for any kind of abuse, hiding behind a keyboard every single week and targeting the same player regardless of underperforming, performing or over performing isn't acceptable on any platform.' She added, 'You never know what a person is going through. Enough is enough.' Tennis player Heather Watson revealed she faces abuse 'daily' and received a death threat when she was just 18 years old. ## Constant scrutiny weighs on athletes' minds Sports psychologist Dr. Mikel Mellick explained that the scrutiny athletes face is unavoidable due to social media. 'As an athlete, you're constantly under judgement. Judgement from your peers because you're in competition for selection and by coaches and managers,' he said. 'Then you introduce social media where the fan isn't just shouting from the stand but can write without any justification and offer opinion without any right of reply. That's perceived as a significant threat.' This relentless exposure can subtly erode motivation and confidence, impacting both performance and mental health. ## Abuse drives some athletes to consider quitting World darts champion Luke Littler admitted he nearly walked away from the sport after facing persistent abuse. 'After Brighton and the incident in Manchester, I was sat at home saying to Faith [his partner] 'I don't want to do it any more, [it's] just the crowd every week',' he recalled. TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods concluded: 'One thing we do really badly I think, is we build them [young athletes] up, we shoot them down.' For younger athletes, the adjustment to this harsh reality can be especially sharp. ## Breakthrough moments bring unwanted attention Tennis player Katie Boulter experienced the harsh reality firsthand when she faced death threats after losing a tie-break at the French Open last year. At the time, she felt social media abuse had become the 'norm' for athletes. Reflecting a year later, she admitted conditions where athletes no longer endure such abuse remain a 'work in progress.' 'I don't think that's something that's just going to happen very quickly. It's a problem we've had for a very long time,' she said. 'I see improvements. We are moving in the right direction, but there's still a lot of work to be done.' ## Visibility brings both opportunities and challenges Joe Towns, a senior lecturer and sports TV live producer with over 20 years of experience, noted that athletes now have unprecedented access to fans but also face greater risks. 'It's never been easier for an athlete to communicate with their fans,' he said. 'But it's also never been easier to make a mistake, say the wrong thing or upset a certain segment of society. It's not hard to offend these days.' Saracens rugby player Georgia Evans discovered this when she faced online abuse for her hair bow color, unrelated to her performance. ## Some athletes withdraw to escape abuse To cope with relentless abuse, some athletes choose to step back from social media. Footballer Brennan Johnson deactivated his Instagram in 2024 to focus solely on his sport. However, withdrawing from the spotlight can come at a cost, especially in sports where exposure is vital for career growth and income. 'There are sports where you don't earn football wages so you need to cultivate an online following just to attract more marketing opportunities and brand opportunities,' Towns explained. ## Pressure to maintain online presence persists MMA fighter Dakota Ditcheva described the pressure to keep a strong online profile. '[As] fighters [we] struggle with that. If we don't keep posting and keep our accounts engaged, then promotions don't want us and we don't build our name,' she said. 'It would make a lot of difference for fighters if they didn't have to stay active in that crucial [fight] week.' For many athletes, visibility has become a requirement rather than a choice, exposing them to both opportunities and risks. ## Social media enables personal branding growth Social media allows athletes to craft their own image, connect directly with supporters, and build an audience independently of traditional media. This has fueled the rise of the 'personal brand,' creating a 'creator economy' where athletes attract brand attention. 'We're dealing with a creator economy for athletes now and an attention economy. Brands want the attention of audiences; it's athletes that can do that,' Towns said. Greater visibility increases exposure, making athletes more vulnerable to criticism. ## Young athletes adapt to digital scrutiny While abuse remains widespread, some young athletes are finding ways to handle the noise. Formula E driver Ella Lloyd says she 'just laughs' at negative comments, while Olympic gymnast Ruby Evans, competing at this year's Commonwealth Games, responds firmly: 'They can't do what I do.' Instead of merely enduring social media, many are learning to shape their visibility. Dr. Mellick believes younger athletes are better equipped to adapt due to their familiarity with technology. ## Positive use of platforms inspires change Cardiff City midfielder Eli King launched Justaquickconvo, a social media podcast series focused on mental health in sport, during his recovery from an ACL injury. He said, 'People reaching out to me explaining their stories and maybe their struggles and why me trying to do something like this is helping them. Once I received that reception, it was worthwhile.' King hopes his platform encourages others to seek help. 'Everyone has their problems and struggles. If one person can watch that [his content] and feel encouraged to call their mate the next day, that's sort of my job done,' he said. Research shows athletes sharing their mental health struggles online helps reduce stigma and encourages help-seeking, particularly among men. ## Call for accountability shifts athlete narratives Athletes are using their visibility not just to survive online scrutiny but to inspire change. Cain emphasized her goal: 'If I can make people think before they write something, I will.' Exposure remains inevitable, but athletes are reshaping what visibility can mean, hoping even small actions can shift behavior and reduce abuse. Their efforts highlight the need for collective responsibility in curbing online hostility.