Lionesses: Online Abuse Risks Female Sport Participation
Tackling Online Abuse: A Call for Stronger Enforcement and Proactive Measures
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The fight against online misogyny and racism in sport is intensifying, with calls for greater urgency in enforcing the Online Safety Act and holding tech giants accountable for the “bile and misery” spread on their platforms.
A Disheartening Reality Amidst Progress
In a stark reminder of the challenges that persist despite significant strides, a recent letter has highlighted the deeply concerning rise of online abuse targeting women and girls in sport. The correspondence, seen by BBC Sport, underscores the abhorrent and unacceptable nature of such behavior, particularly in light of the ample investments made to champion female participation and prospect.
“Through Sport England and National Lottery investment, we have committed hundreds of millions of pounds to increase participation, visibility and opportunity for women and girls in sport,” the letter states, emphasizing the stark contrast between these positive developments and the persistent online toxicity.
The Online safety Act: A Framework Under Scrutiny
The Online Safety Act,which became law in October 2023,introduced a crucial duty for social media platforms to protect users from harmful content,including racism. Ofcom is tasked with enforcing this legislation and developing codes of practice to guide tech companies.Though, the effectiveness and speed of its implementation are now under a microscope.
The letter acknowledges the Act’s potential,noting,”The Online Safety Act 2023 provides a framework to address illegal and harmful content,including hate speech and misogynistic abuse.” It further expresses a keen interest in how the new codes can be leveraged to combat targeted abuse, stating, “We are particularly interested in how the new codes can be used to address the kind of targeted abuse we are seeing.”
Demands for Enhanced Enforcement and Proactive Action
A central theme emerging from the discussion is the need for more robust enforcement and a proactive approach from both regulators and social media companies. The letter directly questions the current measures, asking, “Could you please advise what further steps can be taken within the current regulatory framework to tackle misogyny and racism online?”
The sentiment is echoed by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who told BBC Sport that social media companies and Ofcom “need to do more.” She stressed the ongoing nature of testing the Act’s efficacy, stating, “I think the act will continue to be tested every time a problem surfaces and it’s incumbent on those such as Ofcom and social media platforms to be proactive in rooting this out.”
Nandy also highlighted government efforts to address online abuse, including the introduction of sanctions for companies failing to remove harmful content and educational initiatives in schools. “We brought in the Online Harms Act this year to make sure there are sanctions for companies that don’t take this content down and we are doing a lot of work in schools to educate young people about the impact of online abuse but it’s incumbent on all of us to call this out,” she explained.
Standing in Solidarity with Athletes
The urgency of the situation is underscored by specific instances of abuse, with Nandy expressing unequivocal support for athletes who have faced such attacks.”It’s absolutely disgraceful what [Jess Carter] has had to put up with and we are completely behind her and the Lionesses,” she affirmed, demonstrating a commitment to protecting individuals from the damaging effects of online harassment.
as the conversation continues, the focus remains on ensuring that the Online Safety Act translates into tangible improvements in online safety, with a clear expectation that internet trolls will no longer be afforded “free rein” to spread negativity.Ofcom has been approached for comment on these pressing issues.