An exploration of the distractions inherent to social media use among athletes |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, 4111, Australia;2. Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, 4222, Australia;3. Institute for Sport Business, Loughborough University London, E20 3BS, United Kingdom;1. East Tennessee State University, Department of Sport, Exercise, Recreation, and Kinesiology, Box 70671, E224 MHSA Athletic Center, Johnson City, TN, 37614, United States;2. George Mason University, School of Recreation, Health and Tourism, 4400 University Drive, MS4D2, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States;1. University of South Carolina, United States;2. Temple University, United States;3. Virginia Commonwealth University, United States;1. Digital Marketing Associate, Nine Line Apparel, 450 Fort Argyle Road, Savannah, GA, 31419, United States;2. Marketing Department, Parker College of Business, Georgia Southern University, P.O. Box 8154, Statesboro, GA 30460-8154, United States;3. Department of Marketing and International Business, Foster College of Business, 1501 W. Bradley Avenue, Bradley University, Peoria, IL, 61625, United States;1. The University of Mississippi, United States;2. Elon University, United States;3. Texas A&M University, United States;1. Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 219 Huff Hall, MC-584, Champaign, IL 61820, USA;2. Management Discipline Group, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Social media present athletes with a number of benefits and challenges. As a result, various sport stakeholders have debated appropriate social media use among athletes at major sport events, with some suggesting that using these platforms can have negative consequences. The purpose of this research was to examine the elements of social media that athletes perceive to be distracting during major sport events and the practices they undertake to address such distractions. Interviews with Australian elite athletes (N = 15) were conducted and data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal several elements associated with distraction, including positive and unwanted messages, branding pressures, and competitor content. Athletes reported two key practices that assisted in overcoming distractions, including switching off and handing over the control of their social media accounts. The findings extend distraction-conflict theory to athlete social media research, while presenting a preliminary conceptual model to assist researchers in further understanding the potential impact of social media distractions on athletes. Opportunities for sport practitioners to develop or implement social media education programs are described. |
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| Keywords: | Social media Athletes Distraction-conflict theory Sport events Performance |
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