Many volleyball coaches, directors and parents didn’t grow up with social media, and have a difficult time knowing what to do with handling the challenges of the new phenomenon or understanding how important it is to the lives of today’s middle school and high school students. Coaches and experts in the field have indicated more student-athletes are seeking counseling specifically due to social-media related issues. Studies have shown that increased social media use increases the likelihood of depression and anxiety with student-athletes.

Social media can give volleyball athletes the freedom to express themselves without their thoughts being filtered through the traditional media or via approval from their coaches and administrators. However, social media increases scrutiny to previously unimagined levels. Nowadays athletes receive criticism on the very forum where some of them seek validation and from the very same people from whom they seek and get validation. Then add in the huge changes within college athletics, including the new very liberal transfer rules and the new NCAA rule regarding name, image, and likeness (NIL), and the social media impact on student athletes continues to grow.

Here are some considerations for volleyball club directors, coaches, and parents to help student-athletes manage their social media use:
  • Have discussions with your student athletes to help them understand that social media can be a distraction from academics and sleep patterns, and overall increase stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Teach student-athletes the strategies to manage social media by setting boundaries, selecting platforms that align with personal values and goals, thinking before posts are made, developing a support system that includes different types of people, and practicing self-care by not always being attached to their technology and using social media.
  • The methods to use for developing, implementing, and managing a social media education program for student-athletes should include written materials, handbooks, brochures, videos, workshops, group and team sessions, guest speakers, and other educational resources.
  • Educate student-athletes about the positives about using social media. This will increase visibility and share their skills, achievement, and personal stories.
  • Create networking opportunities, make connections with other athletes and industry professionals, and help with career exploration.
  • Teach student-athletes to be careful about online harassment; negativity; cyberbullying; decline in mental well-being; distraction from academics and sleep patterns; and overall increased stress, anxiety, and depression.

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About the Author

David Morris is a seasoned educator with over four decades of experience as a teacher, professor, academic advisor, athletic administrator and head coach at the high school and collegiate levels. He is the author of  Student-Athletes: Control Your Own Destiny, available for purchase on Amazon.