Maro Itoje Warns of Social Media's 'Corrosive' Impact Amid Racist Abuse in Rugby
England captain Maro Itoje has issued a stark warning about the corrosive effect of social media on professional athletes and society at large, speaking out ahead of his 100th cap in a crucial Six Nations clash with Ireland. The buildup to Saturday's match at Twickenham has been overshadowed by racist abuse directed at Ireland second row Edwin Edogbo, who made his debut in round two against Italy.
Racist Abuse of Edogbo Sparks Concern
Itoje described the online abuse targeting the 23-year-old Edogbo as "incredibly sad" and emphasized that such incidents highlight the ongoing battle against racism in sports. "It's something no one should have to go through, and it's a reminder there is still work to do," he stated, referencing similar cases like that of footballer Vinícius Júnior. While acknowledging some progress in combating racism, Itoje stressed that continued effort is essential to drive meaningful change.
Social Media's Damaging Influence
The Saracens lock elaborated on the dangers of social media, noting its dual nature as both a force for good and negativity. "I would advise all top-level athletes not to spend too much time on social media because it's really corrosive," he cautioned. Itoje warned that the platform fosters extremes, with praise and criticism often amplified unrealistically, leading to a harmful cycle where individuals become "a slave to what other people say about you."
He further predicted that long-term damage to brain development and society will become increasingly apparent in the coming years due to social media's pervasive influence. "My hypothesis is we're going to see a huge amount of damage that has been done to us as humans, and as a society, as a result of social media," Itoje explained, urging athletes and the public to maintain perspective and not base their self-worth on online feedback.
Itoje's Milestone Match and Team Updates
As Itoje prepares to earn his 100th England cap in a must-win game following last weekend's defeat by Scotland, Ireland's head coach Andy Farrell has made strategic changes to his squad. Fly-half Sam Prendergast has been dropped from the matchday lineup, with Jack Crowley starting at No. 10 and Ciarán Frawley providing bench cover. Farrell expressed confidence in Crowley's performance and emphasized the competitive environment within the team, stating that Prendergast remains a "fantastic international player" on a learning journey.
Additional adjustments see Jamison Gibson-Park returning at scrum-half, replacing Craig Casey, while Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, and Josh van der Flier are restored to the pack. These changes aim to bolster Ireland's chances in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter, with the scrum battle highlighted as a potential deciding factor.
Call for Collective Action
Itoje concluded by reiterating the need for vigilance and proactive measures against racism and the negative impacts of social media. "While I do believe we are moving in somewhat the right direction, moving in the right direction is not a given. It takes work," he asserted, calling on the sports community and wider society to continuously remind themselves of the necessary efforts to foster a more inclusive and mentally healthy environment.
