Scotland stars Zander Clark and Rachel Corsie have joined the fight against online bullying and abuse by signing up to BT's Hope United campaign.
Goalkeeper Clark knows first hand the trauma that social media abuse can cause.
But the St Johnstone goalkeeper also knows others have had it far worse.
The appalling hate aimed at England stars Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho after England’s European Championship final defeat to Italy sickened the 29-year-old.
Now he has joined the crusade to beat the online bullies by signing up to BT’s Hope United campaign along with a number of other top level stars including Harry Kane and Scotland women's skipper Corsie.
Clark said: “Unfortunately social media gives people the platform to project hate through a blank account.
“I have received a bit of it myself. It’s not nice.
“Trying to blank it out is hard because you naturally get attracted to notifications.
“I’ve had the old accusations ‘you’re hopeless, you’re not good enough’ .. I’m more mature now at 29 and can blank it out.
“Other have had far worse though. And for younger folk it can be a real dent in their career or confidence.
“What happened with the England boys at the Euros was shocking. Now, straight away when something happens in a game, you almost get a feeling something bad is going to come out of it through social media or online.
“It’s something that needs addressed. We are trying to make the older generation aware of how to manage it.
“It’s a massive part of life now. I’m all for having to verify who you are so accounts can be traceable.
“Nine times out of 10 when you see these messages it’s a blank profile, someone has produced a burner account just to abuse people.
“If you put that identification process in there then it’s traceable.”
BT has now teamed-up with non-profit organisation Cybersmile to create an online education platform for young people designed to help tackle online hate, bullying and abuse.
The platform involves three modules to educate users on how to be good digital citizens with content specific to each home nation.
Clark was speaking at the first of two Hope United roadshows in Scotland to provide youngsters with content from the new educational platform. In March, the roadshow will visit Hibs.
The roadshows build on BT’s Hope United initiative - which launched last year bringing together a diverse team of football players to tackle online hate.
The Hope United Roadshow is the latest in BT’s ‘4-3-3’ strategy – a five-year plan that’s using technology and innovation in footballing communities across the UK to help change the lives of millions of players, coaches and fans.
BT and Cybersmile have created a free education platform for young people designed to help tackle online hate, bullying and abuse. The modules are available to anyone at cybersmileeducation.org/cat/roadshow.
Scotland captain Corsie said: “Education is vital to combatting social media abuse; teaching youngsters about the real impact of online hate and the damage it can cause. It is something that nearly every footballer has faced, but it is something that no one should ever have to experience.
"That’s why the Hope United Roadshow is so important, not just in Scotland, but across the UK, as it will show why it is so vital to be responsible and considerate online.”
Pete Jeavons, marketing communications director at BT, said: “Working alongside Cybersmile has allowed us to continue the vital work that Hope United kickstarted last year: to tackle the online hatred and cyberbullying that is sadly part of everyday life.
"We’re also incredibly excited to further support grassroots football communities across the UK as part of our long-term partnerships with the four UK Home Nations Football Associations to up-skill millions of players, coaches and fans.”
Scott Freeman, CEO of The Cybersmile Foundation said: “Everybody at Cybersmile is proud and excited to be working with BT to educate and positively impact young people across the U.K. on a range of key issues.
"Cybersmile believes that education and awareness are key to changing behaviours and potentially saving lives, which this initiative has been designed to do.”
