Social Media’s Role in Wellness Narratives

When it comes to the media, people rarely think about the possibility of reporters using inaccurate narratives or putting immense pressure on athletes for views. This idea is known as the negativity crisis in sports media. 75% of professional athletes reported media-induced stress. “We won and people are still upset,” said Ellis Genge, professional rugby player for England. Genge’s words reflect an immense frustration amongst professional athletes who feel they can never do enough to make reporters and the public happy. His words also show a frustration with the media’s goal to fit an athlete into whatever picture they want to see them in.

Social media worsens the negativity crisis by flipping every opinion or claim into a headline. With millions of people on social media every single day, misinformation can spread faster than any person can correct it. The constant cycle of misinformation and criticism can destroy an athlete’s confidence and their mental health. When an athlete’s mental health is at risk, their overall well-being is also at risk.

The problem brewing within the negativity crisis is how we consume media. Social media is a business and like any other business, there is a race for the best product to sell to the public. Social media’s race is for engagement. Many news outlets rely on overdramatized headlines to attract viewers. Unfortunately, attracting views comes at the expense of authentic information. The topics of recovery and athlete well-being become overpowered by controversy and drama in professional sports. When an athlete struggles and their story is covered inaccurately, harmful stigmas, such as the importance of news and drama over well-being, are reinforced. 

Although the negativity crisis is still prevalent today in the media, many platforms have pushed for positive change. As a way to combat the harmful ideas created by the media, athletes have begun to use their own social media presence to reclaim their own narratives. Professional athletes share stories of growth and vulnerability with their audiences. For example, Naomi Osaka, professional tennis player, has recently shared how much prioritizing self-care has done for her health and career. Athletes show the world that physical and mental health are what matters the most. 

In order to move forward towards the future, media outlets and audiences must take accountability for their reportings and their engagements, respectively. News reporters should focus on accuracy of information and empathy towards athletes and the situations they go through. Fans can support the shift against the negativity crisis by engaging thoughtfully and with empathy, as well as rejecting sensationalism. A true well-being story in sports media is one that celebrates the journey to recovery and health, which includes a great deal of authenticity and humanity. 

In conclusion, in an era driven by media and clicks, there is a professional athlete that is just like the rest of us, a human being. Social media has the power to further the negativity crisis, but we as journalists and the public have the power to rewrite the story of wellness in sports for good. We have the power to engage in content that supports an athlete’s wellness over superficial aspects of professional sports.