Figure skaters aged 13 targeted by social media abuse

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 10:31 · Archive

Teenage figure skaters as young as 13 are being increasingly targeted by abusive comments on social media, Olympic gold medalist Evan Bates has warned. The uptick in abuse has coincided with revived popularity in figure skating and increased viewership of livestreamed events such as Junior Grand Prix figure skating, a key competition for competitors aged 13 and older with dreams of becoming Olympians.

Evan Bates, who chairs the International Skating Union's athletes committee, said some users were creating 'toxic environments' around these events. 'We've seen a huge uptick in viewership and our online streams, but with that comes more chatter and unfortunately more of that negativity,' he said. 'We're talking about minors and kids who don't deserve that kind of abuse. A skater's pursuit of their dream to skate at ISU level shouldn't come at the expense of their mental health or well-being.'

The International Skating Union is signing up Friday to the United Against Online Abuse campaign. The ISU has also pledged to extend a program giving competitors access to AI-powered software which can hide abusive comments on their social media accounts from view. Bates called on other high-profile skaters to be more vocal when they witness online abuse, saying he wanted to see experienced athletes 'step forward and call out people who are creating these kind of toxic environments for skaters'.

How it is being reported

• Teenage figure skaters increasingly targeted by social media abuse as campaign launchesOlympic gold medalist Evan Bates has warned teenage figure skaters as young as 13 are being increasingly targeted by abusive comments on social media.Clickorlando · 9 Oct, 09:48
• Teenage figure skaters increasingly targeted by social media abuse as campaign launchesOlympic gold medalist Evan Bates has warned teenage figure skaters as young as 13 are being increasingly targeted by abusive comments on social media.News4Jax · 9 Oct, 09:48

In this story: Evan Bates · Madison Chock · International Skating Union · United Against Online Abuse

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