The Challenges of Social Media

[PeltzFan12]

First of all, let's beat the Hawks!!!

 

Wanted to give us all some food for thought as we finish up the season, and even as we head into next year regarding social media.  A former player from last year's team who is in Lincoln for Legends weekend came up to Omaha this morning to watch my 8 year old son play his youth basketball game. Absolutely made my son's season by surprising him.  

Anyway, we went out to lunch and I had a chance to talk to him about a number of different subjects regarding this year's team and life as a Division I basketball player.

 

We specifically talked about the pressure the players feel, and talked about Walt and Tai.  He said nobody feels worse for missing a shot, turning the ball over, or making a mistake than the player's themselves. They'll hear about it at film review, from student's in class, rehash it at night, and lose sleep over it. But Walt and Tai have both been harassed on Social Media outlets this year that I think has gone to the extreme. After the Maryland game, some "fans" actually tagged Tai's Instagram account in the official Instagram account of Nebraska Basketball (Husker Hoops) and blamed him solely for the loss.  One comment tagged him and said "thx for costing us the game" He also received direct messages asking "why u suck so bad?" so he temporarily shut down his account. Walt's been called out on social media as well for his play. I know that the people who are doing this aren't truly fans, and I would be absolutely surprised if any of them were on this board.  This post isn't calling anyone out on this board, specifically, but it was eye opening for me to hear first hand from a former player that these young men we cheer for at PBA get subjected to some fairly harsh comments and even heckled by our own so called "fans" 

 

I think this puts Coach Miles in a tough spot.  He loves him some Twitter and embraces the power of Social Media.  Unfortunately, that power can be challenging for a 19 year old kid to deal with if he's getting harassed on Facebook and Twitter.  I'm sure some will reply that the players should just stay off social media or simply "ignore" comments, but that's kind of unrealistic for a college student, and hard to ignore when they are getting private messages sent to them.  I like social media, and it's not going away.  I would urge the "good" fans, if we see instances of players specifically getting called out, to support the player and try to nip the negativity in the bud.

 

GBR!

[swoof]

I follow a few players on twitter and maybe five or six times have given a player a "Great game tonight!" or similar comment but have never said anything negative. I never dig deep enough into a player's mentions to see any of the negativity. I don't doubt it exists. I'll keep a closer eye on it and call idiot "fans" out if I get the opportunity.

[jimmykc]

Welcome to the real world, boys and girls. The "twitter" generation are mostly addicted to their stupid e-bay devices and absolutely can not live without them. Many, unfortunately, begin to blur the difference between the on line life and their real world life. And human psychology often draws people into this anonymous world who feel comfortable bullying and demeaning someone from the "safety" of their basements. If a player feels so insecure that he takes this crap at all seriously, he should avoid reading comments on any format since they are bound to happen. If he or she has a personality which is strong enough to just laugh and think, "Here is another pitiful ass who doesn't really know me" then it's no problem. I'm an old guy who still writes letters in longhand script so that is just my perspective. Now I hope I don't get a lot of those red down arrows...

[jason2486]

Welcome to the real world, boys and girls. The "twitter" generation are mostly addicted to their stupid e-bay devices and absolutely can not live without them. Many, unfortunately, begin to blur the difference between the on line life and their real world life. And human psychology often draws people into this anonymous world who feel comfortable bullying and demeaning someone from the "safety" of their basements. If a player feels so insecure that he takes this crap at all seriously, he should avoid reading comments on any format since they are bound to happen. If he or she has a personality which is strong enough to just laugh and think, "Here is another pitiful ass who doesn't really know me" then it's no problem. I'm an old guy who still writes letters in longhand script so that is just my perspective. Now I hope I don't get a lot of those red down arrows...

I see your point, but the problem with just blowing it off or not reading it is that this is the new way news travels. It is no different than when newspapers first were printed or when telephones were invented. I'm guessing people didn't say "Don't read the paper or answer the phone". Now that's probably a bit of an exaggeration so I apologize. I'm not trying to argue about it. It is just the latest trend in information for our world. So we must be careful. Like you mentioned, things like twitter give people the sense they can say anything because they're hiding behind a user name. It is quite sad that people go to such lengths to be negative towards others.

[cipsucks]

 

 Like you mentioned, things like twitter give people the sense they can say anything because they're hiding behind a user name. It is quite sad that people go to such lengths to be negative towards others.

 

Whatever you say, Stinky. 

[HB]

Any "fan" who sends something negative directly to a player = LOSER.  No need for ambiguity.  Nothing gray.  Nothing to discuss or explain.  Very simple:  You do it, you're a loser. 

[jason2486]

Like you mentioned, things like twitter give people the sense they can say anything because they're hiding behind a user name. It is quite sad that people go to such lengths to be negative towards others.

Whatever you say, Stinky.

Haha exactly

[PimpMario]

It sucks that social media exists. One of my least favorite parts of the information revolution.

Social media has maybe challenged the hubris that Nebraska has the best fans or the nicest fans.

Having said that players need to be educated about social media and the spotlight.

If you want to be horrified go through t magics social media after a loss. People were ruthless to him. Athletes need to be counciled that if they are going to be on social media they will have to ignore trolls.

[jason2486]

One of the worst places I've seen is on ESPN at the bottom of any article you read. That is where some of sports' biggest dbag fans post.

[HuskerFever]

I would have to say that the etiquette of social media is still being worked out. I feel like a lot of people are starting to understand the boundaries and are at least made aware of where that line is. That is, don't Tweet prospective recruits, don't tag players on social media platforms during games, don't tag players in negative posts, and in my case.... just don't tag players in anything! The kid doesn't know who I am, why even bother?

 

It's a slow process; it's like the 'texting and driving' campaign. People are starting to become aware of it, and those who actually have a conscience and become aware of its implications start thinking more strategically about their actions on social media. We're getting there.

[hhcscott]

In the early days of this board we fought hard to keep a civil tone and not allow the vitriol and hatred that is present on so much of the internet/social media, and the thing is, just like the game officiating, if you call it consistently, and enforce the rules, people will behave in a civil and responsible way.

 

I know there will be an argument from the "free speech" crowd (remember that free speech is only a protection from government restrictions on speech and excludes libel, slander, obscenity and hate speech) but people who engage in that sort of conduct need to be held accountable and identified publicly, Every post on this board from me has been with public knowledge of my name, and I stand behind all of them. I support the requirement that participation in social media and comment sections should not be permitted anonymously. If you want to be a troll, put your real name and identity out there and take the public scrutiny, if not, crawl back under the bridge.

[PeltzFan12]

In the early days of this board we fought hard to keep a civil tone and not allow the vitriol and hatred that is present on so much of the internet/social media, and the thing is, just like the game officiating, if you call it consistently, and enforce the rules, people will behave in a civil and responsible way.

 

I know there will be an argument from the "free speech" crowd (remember that free speech is only a protection from government restrictions on speech and excludes libel, slander, obscenity and hate speech) but people who engage in that sort of conduct need to be held accountable and identified publicly, Every post on this board from me has been with public knowledge of my name, and I stand behind all of them. I support the requirement that participation in social media and comment sections should not be permitted anonymously. If you want to be a troll, put your real name and identity out there and take the public scrutiny, if not, crawl back under the bridge.

Nailed it.  Can't wait for the game and Legends day!!!