As part of our work on the role and place of parents in sporting performance, I suggest we address an issue that concerns us all: young athletes and social media.
Ubiquitous today, social media are part of everyone's daily life, and young people are no less affected or vulnerable. Athletes even more so, since these tools can give them growing—and sometimes overwhelming—visibility and reputation.
1. How do young people use social media?
When asked, here are their answers:
- To communicate with friends
- To follow interests and inspiring people (role models)
- To get inspiration (fashion, trends...)
- To be entertained (stories, videos, games...)
- To increase their visibility
- To share their passions
- To stay connected despite distance
2. What are the potential risks?
The dangers of excessive use:
- Addiction to 'likes' and dependence on their online image
- Impact on self-esteem (comparisons, criticism, hate)
- Disruption of sleep and concentration
- Emotional ups and downs (euphoria/depression tied to interactions)
- Time taken away from sporting progress
The most worrying phenomenon: the immediate effect on self-esteem, with questions like: 'Am I liked?', 'Am I more popular than... ?'.
3. Tips for balanced use
It is crucial to remember that:
- Posts don't reflect reality; they're often staged
- Hate is aimed at the projected image, not the person
- Set time limits (especially before bedtime)
- Monitor mood swings related to social media
- Lead by example as an adult
The goal is not to ban them, but to teach responsible use.
4. Conclusion: finding the right balance
Social media are not just negative: they strengthen social ties and can be a source of support. The challenge is to teach young people to manage their emotions in response to online feedback and to internalize this idea: 'What matters isn't what others reflect back at you, but what you do with it.'