NCAA study uses AI to reveal widespread athlete harassment on social media

Online harassment in college sports: NCAA study reveals disturbing trends: The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has conducted its first comprehensive study on online harassment related to championship events in six sports, uncovering alarming patterns of abuse directed at student-athletes, coaches, and officials.

Study methodology and scope: The NCAA employed Signify Group’s Threat Matrix AI algorithm to analyze social media posts associated with championship events across multiple sports.

• The study examined over 72,000 flagged messages, with more than 5,000 confirmed to contain abusive, discriminatory, or threatening content.
• The analysis covered social media accounts of 3,164 student-athletes, 489 coaches, 197 game officials, 165 teams, and 12 NCAA official channels.

Key findings and disturbing trends: The study revealed a troubling landscape of online harassment in college sports, with certain groups disproportionately targeted.

• Nearly 20% of abusive posts involved sexual harassment, highlighting a significant issue of gender-based discrimination.
• Female basketball players received approximately three times more abusive messages than their male counterparts, underscoring the gender disparity in online abuse.
• One unidentified athlete was subjected to over 1,400 harassing messages in just a two-week period, illustrating the intense and concentrated nature of online harassment.
• Racial comments constituted about 10% of abusive messages, primarily focused on basketball tournaments, indicating ongoing issues of racial discrimination in sports.

March Madness: A hotbed for online abuse: The NCAA’s flagship basketball tournament emerged as a focal point for online harassment.

• A staggering 80% of abusive posts were directed at March Madness athletes, demonstrating the intense scrutiny and pressure faced by participants in high-profile events.
• The concentration of abuse during this tournament suggests a need for increased vigilance and support during major sporting events.

The gambling connection: The study uncovered a concerning link between sports betting and online harassment.

• 12% of abusive posts were related to sports betting, highlighting the potential negative consequences of the growing intersection between gambling and college sports.
• This finding raises questions about the impact of legalized sports betting on the well-being of student-athletes and the integrity of college sports.

Violence and threats: The study also revealed a disturbing undercurrent of violent content in online harassment.

• 6% of verified abusive content was related to violence, indicating a serious threat to the safety and security of athletes, coaches, and officials.
• This finding underscores the need for robust safety measures and support systems for those targeted by online threats.

NCAA’s response and future actions: The organization has expressed a strong commitment to addressing the issue of online harassment in college sports.

• NCAA president Charlie Baker stated that the organization will “exhaust all options” to reduce harassment of student-athletes, signaling a proactive approach to combating this problem.
• The NCAA emphasized the significant mental health impacts and performance effects of online abuse on athletes, coaches, officials, and their families, recognizing the far-reaching consequences of this issue.

Broader implications for college sports: The NCAA’s study sheds light on the dark side of social media engagement in college athletics and raises important questions about the future of sports in the digital age.

• The findings highlight the need for comprehensive strategies to protect student-athletes and other participants from online abuse, including improved monitoring, education, and support systems.
• The study may prompt a reevaluation of social media policies and guidelines for college athletes, coaches, and officials to mitigate the risks of online harassment.
• The connection between sports betting and online abuse could lead to increased scrutiny of gambling’s role in college sports and potential regulatory measures.

Analyzing deeper: The challenge of balancing engagement and protection: As college sports continue to embrace social media for fan engagement and athlete promotion, the NCAA faces the complex task of fostering positive online interactions while shielding participants from abuse. This study serves as a crucial first step in understanding the scope of the problem, but addressing it will require ongoing collaboration between educational institutions, tech companies, and sports organizations to create a safer online environment for all involved in college athletics.