DON’T LET TROLLS GET AWAY WITH IT
BLYTH Spartans manager Michael Nelson believes there should be “no second chances” for social media trolls who abuse other users.
Online platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have received widespread scrutiny in recent weeks with high-profile players and managers revealing that online abuse is worse than ever.
Punishments for a number of serial offenders have tended to range from temporary suspensions or a limitation of services, although permanent bans have been few and far-between.
Nelson revealed earlier this week that he received personal abuse and threatening messages via Twitter during his playing career and he insisted that these social media outlets must step up their efforts to protect targeted users.
“Social media companies need to do more,” the former Hartlepool United and Norwich City defender told The NLP.
“I wasn’t the first and I won’t be the last to report receiving something like that.
Sanctioned
“I saw the other day that repeat offenders will have their accounts suspended, but why should they have that chance?
“They know they have two or three hits at someone, why should they have that? There should be no second chances given to them.
“The only way it should stop is if people willing to send something like that are unable to access these social media sites now – but that has to come from the companies themselves.”
The Spartans boss reflected on his own experience of receiving abuse online during his time with Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.
Centre-back Nelson was part of the Hibs side that were relegated from Scotland’s top flight in 2014.
The aftermath of the play-off defeat against Hamilton Academical led to Nelson receiving a tweet threatening his family – but no further action was taken when he took the matter to the local police.
Nelson is hopeful that progress can be made in the near future but he remains sceptical over how seriously social media outlets are dealing with the situation.
“I see a lot of it now at all levels of the game,” he explained. “Nothing has improved, people are not being caught and sanctioned, they are just allowed to set up another account and carry on as they were. I read it, I got in touch with the police because of the severity of the comments.
“They said that the chances of them finding out who sent it were slim to none and that they would have to apply to the head office of Twitter to try and get access to the account.
“It impacted on my wife because it mentioned the kids and our family.
“When they go that far, saying they want your kids to be killed, it’s just strange that people can think that way and think it’s acceptable.
“People can abuse as much as they want without fear of any reprimand or punishment.
“I’d hope it’s moving in the right direction, but it doesn’t feel that way.”