Starmer to work with social media platforms about abuse

After Katie Boulter, a tennis player, complained about the abhorrent abuse she received, Sir Keir Starmer says the government will look into whether additional protective measures can be implemented on social media platforms.

British number two Boulter revealed to BBC Sport earlier this week how much of her social media accounts were abusive and death threats.

For their upcoming European Championship defense in Switzerland, several England players have said they intend to stop using social media.

Prime Minister Starmer told the BBC’s Katie Gornall that because of this abuse, female athletes should “adjust their own lives.”

According to him, “If you look at the volume of abuse, it tends to be even greater for women than it is for men, and it’s the same in sport.”

“So we need to consider what we can do more. It’s a shame that some of these athletes want to stay off social media while they are the defending champions.

They shouldn’t have to adjust to the circumstances of other people’s lives.

When asked what he could do to address the issue of social media abuse, he responded, “We need to look at what we can do, working with some of the platform providers, to see if we can take some additional measures, put other things in place.

Boulter shared screenshots of her private inbox on Tuesday, giving BBC Sport unmatched information about the volume and nature of abuse players receive.

The 28-year-old said, “I think it kind of shows how vulnerable we are.” You really don’t know if anyone is visiting the website. You really don’t know where you live or if they’re close by or anything else like that.

Additionally, her entire family was threatened.

According to data science firm Signify, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), about 8, 000 abusive, violent, or threatening messages were made available to 458 tennis players on their social media accounts in 2024.

The abuse “never really stops,” according to England’s forward Lauren James.

“Sometimes, it’s not even about my performance because they’re treating me badly and they’re sending me abuse, even when someone loses at a computer game.”

“I guess it might touch someone when it’s your first time, but I’m used to it.” I’ll just swipe it off my shoulder.

Starmer continued, “I would also say to everyone else that they need our support, not our abuse, that they deserve our support, not that they have been abducted,” and that they have earned our support, not that they have been abducted.

So “come on if you’re into football, get behind this team and actually back them.”

Starmer was present to unveil a new school sport partnerships and enrichment framework for schools, making sure that all students had access to high-quality sports and extracurricular activities.