A Simple Solution To Athletes Social Networking

Written by Ian | 29 September 2009

Usage of online social networks is a growing trend in the sports world.  Specifically, college athletes have started gravitating to facebook and twitter (myspace to a lesser degree).  As with any other situation where a popular athlete interfaces with media and the public, these social networking sites have brought out several interesting, and at times embarrassing, comments from student athletes.

A case in point was this week's statement by Derrick Locke on the popular site facebook.  Locke's comment was:

How would anyone know how we prac? Everyone keep there f***n comments to urself or n ur head!

There has been a mini uproar in local sports media over Locke's comments.  Some have suggested athletes not be allowed to use the social networking sites.  Others have suggested it's no big deal and athletes should just be cautioned by coaches and staff about the pitfalls of these sites.  I have a much more simple solution.  Privacy.

While I'm not as familiar with myspace (have an account, check it once a month) I have used facebook and twitter quite often.  I know for a fact that facebook allows users to make their profile as secure as they wish.  For example, a user can make their profile page viewable only by people which they bestow that privilege upon.  Outside users will not be able to read a person's profile or comment on their open thread "wall" without the user granting them those privileges.

Twitter has similar security features.  A user can set their Twitter account up so only those they have allowed to follow them can read their tweets.  General users will not be able to receive instant updates or read comments online if the person has not granted them access.

These two sites make social networking a breeze and they make securing one's information easy as well.  Coaches and staffs of collegiate athletic programs should allow their players to use these sites as much as they wish.  In fact, they should encourage it.  After all, kids will be kids. 

What the staff needs to press upon these kids is securing their profiles.  They should literally have a class that makes every kid with an account log in and go step-by-step in securing their accounts.  Once this is done casual fans, media, and those who wish ill will upon the players cannot interact with the players unless they go to the games and scream from the seats.  Players would still be able to interface with friends and family the way these web sites were designed to work. 

It seems so simple, but after months of hearing debates on players and coaches responsibilities for these comments there still hasn't been a gravitation toward securing profiles.  I understand that many players join these sites with the intent to be closer to their fans.  The bottom line is that as long as players have an open profile, allowing anyone to interface with them, people who wish to irk and piss off the players will continue to send them messages.  When this happens the players' reactions will be over the top and student athletes will continue to make headlines with posts such as Locke's.