Study reveals: Twelve percent of abusive messages targeted at college athletes stem from betting-related matters
In a bid to tackle the growing issue of harassment and vitriol on social media, the NCAA has unveiled a new study outlining the extent of abuse faced by student-athletes, coaches, and officials across various sports, including yahoo sports and the ncaa tournament.
The study, which employed an artificial intelligence-based algorithm, analysed messages from recent championship events across six sports: volleyball, softball, football, gymnastics, basketball, and baseball. Shockingly, approximately one in five posts were found to be abusive.
The analysis revealed that about 80% of the 72,000 flagged messages were during March Madness, with the spread of abusive messages being roughly equal across the six sports. One female athlete, in particular, was subject to over 1,400 negative messages in just two weeks.
The Threat Matrix AI model categorised abusive messages into 16 categories, including racism, sexual harassment, and violence. Interestingly, 12% of the abusive posts were related to sports betting.
The study also found that female athletes participating in the basketball tournament received triple the amount of abuse compared to male players. This disparity is a concerning trend that the NCAA is committed to addressing.
NCAA President Charlie Baker has pledged to reduce the harassment and vitriol experienced by student-athletes. The organisation warns that people receiving abusive messages may not always appear unaffected, and the report links social media harassment to mental health challenges.
Regrettably, the study does not provide information about a female athlete who received more than 1,400 negative messages on social media during a basketball championship. The NCAA acknowledges this omission and is dedicated to ensuring that all instances of harassment are documented and addressed moving forward.
As the world of sports continues to evolve, so too must the ways in which we address and combat online harassment. The NCAA's new study is a significant step in understanding the scope of the problem and working towards a more inclusive and supportive environment for all student-athletes.
Read also:
- Inadequate supply of accessible housing overlooks London's disabled community
- Strange discovery in EU: Rabbits found with unusual appendages resembling tentacles on their heads
- Duration of a Travelling Blood Clot: Time Scale Explained
- Fainting versus Seizures: Overlaps, Distinctions, and Proper Responses
