Project Safety Net: The risks and opportunities for safeguarding adolescents on social media in relation to organised sport

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Social media use is prevalent in adolescents who participate in organised sport. Emerging evidence suggests that social media can positively influence sport engagement, through providing a space to socialise and learn, and to develop 'sporting' identities. At the same time, the prevalence of problematic social media use tends to be greater in adolescents who participate in sport. Athletes/players who use social media can also experience abuse and discrimination (e.g. gender, racial), and be exposed to a high volume of potentially harmful (e.g. advice on supplements/training) and/or inappropriate content (e.g. sexualised images). This project aims to develop a novel evidence-base that details the benefits and risk-based impacts of social media for adolescents (age 11-18) who participate in organised sport, and identify actions and support to address concerns. This is a multi- and mixed method study (using qualitative and quantitative techniques), and data will be generated from: focus group interviews with adolescents, a national survey with adolescents and workshops and interviews with key stakeholders (e.g. coaches, practitioners, and volunteers). The data will be reported in peer-review journal articles and the evidence will be used to produce new guidelines targeted at sport clubs and organisations on safeguarding principles of social media for adolescents who participate in organised sport. This joint studentship integrates the expertise of Dr Victoria Goodyear in social media use in adolescents, with the expertise of Dr Daniel Rhind in safeguarding children in sport.