Blog Layout
Social Media
Roger Allen • Oct 29, 2021
The Football Association has been engaging with social media organisations for a number of years to try and address the issues of online abuse and discrimination. This impacts all parts of football from players to administrators, from referees to coaches/managers and is not isolated to any one part of the football pyramid. Sadly, this is an issue that impacts many of those in our game and we are committed to continuing to use our voice and influence to address this problem.
We recognise that a multi-pronged approach is needed and we are doing everything that we can to ensure that social media organisations are effectively protecting all users. We are also simultaneously working with government to ensure that relevant and effective legislation is enacted quickly to hold social media organisations to account. Through our discussions with social media platforms, they are sharing information on products and tools to address elements of the challenges we currently see online.
Social media platforms are a key mechanism of modern communication for many people and we know that they are great way to interact. However, just like in the offline world, there will always be those who try to abuse others online.
Instagram
Instagram has rolled out two new tools to protect people who may be subject to abuse, either in comments or Direct Messages (DMs). Activating these tools will help reduce the chances of seeing negative or hurtful comments and make the experience of using Instagram a more positive one.
The first tool is Hidden Words - when turned on, this will automatically filter offensive words, phrases and emojis, so they do not have to be viewed. This tool focuses on DM requests, because this is where people usually receive abusive messages. It will work in a similar way to the comment filters already on offer, which allow people to hide offensive comments and choose what terms they don’t want people to use in comments under posts they may. Both comment and DM request filters can be turned on and off in a new dedicated section of Privacy Settings called Hidden Words.
The second tool is Limits – designed to help protect people when they experience or anticipate a rush of abusive comments and DMs. It’s easy to turn on, and will automatically hide comments and DM requests from people who don’t follow an account, or who only recently followed an account. Instagram developed this feature because they heard that sometimes people experience sudden spikes of comments and DM requests from people they don’t know. In many cases this is an outpouring of support — like if they score a winning goal. But sometimes it can also mean an influx of unwanted comments or messages. In these instances, you can turn on Limits and avoid this type of interaction.
Twitter
Twitter has rolled out tools that we feel it’s important to make you aware of to help protect you online. Please see the two short videos below which guide you through the process of activating these tools on your Twitter profile.
We hope that these features help ensure your experience on social media platforms is a more positive one and that the football community can be brought together in the right way this season.
Hidden Replies
Mute/Block
Hamble Club etched their name on the Velocity Wessex League Cup for the first time after beating AFC Portchester 2-0 in the final. PROGRAMME DOWNLOAD - VELOCITY WESSEX LEAGUE CUP FINAL
Millbrook have won promotion to the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division after beating Downton 3-1 in their play-off final at Test Park on Saturday. A crowd of 532 witnessed the visitors take an early lead through Ollie Davies, before Jamie White turned the game on its head - first with a penalty just after the half-hour, and then finding the net once more prior to the interval.
Hamworthy Recreation completed a league-and-cup double in defeating Premier Division side, Shaftesbury, in the final of the Dorset Senior Cup on Tuesday evening. Tyler Rudd (2) and Eddie Hodge put the Division One champions three to the good within an hour, before Brett Pitman pulled on back for Shaftesbury - who can be consoled in claiming a promotion of their own, having won the Premier Division play-offs just days prior. Elsewhere, Millbrook will host Downton in the Division One play-off final on Saturday after both came through their semi-final ties in midweek against Fleetlands (5-1) and Alresford Town (2-0), respectively. The IOW Gold Cup will be contested between Newport IOW and Cowes Sports - both seeing off Isle of Wight League opposition in Brading Town and Shanklin. The final takes place on Friday, May 10 at Westwood Park (7.30pm). While in the Portsmouth Senior Cup, Portsmouth's Academy edged out Fleetlands 4-5 on spot-kicks after the sides drew 2-2 in normal time at Powder Monkey Park. Pompey will now visit Gosport Borough (09/05) for the right to face Royal Navy FA in the final at Baffins Milton Rovers on May 15. Bank Holiday Monday sees the Wessex League Cup Final take place at AFC Portchester - the Royals taking on Hamble Club (3pm). Entry at the OnSite Group Stadium is £8 (adults) and £4 (concessions) with a printed programme, £2 available at the turnstile.
**UPDATED** The Division One play-offs have been confirmed as follows: Tuesday April 30 Millbrook (5) Fleetlands (1) 7.45pm k.o Wednesday, May 1 Downton (2) Alresford Town (0) 7.45pm k.o Saturday May 4, 3pm Millbrook v Downton
Brett Pitman was one the mark once again to ensure Shaftesbury claimed a promotion berth at the expense of play-off hosts, AFC Stoneham. Pitman's solitary strike proved to be decisive in the Premier Division play-off final on Saturday, to give the Rockies a narrow 1-0 victory - the talisman's 61st goal in all competitions. Our congratulations to Shaftesbury on achieving Step 4 football for the first time.
The Premier Division play-offs have been confirmed following Saturday's results . Tuesday, April 23 (7.45pm) AFC Stoneham v Baffins Milton Rovers Wednesday, April 24 (7.45pm) Shaftesbury v AFC Portchester Saturday, April 27 (3pm) Final (To be played at the highest placed club within the regular season) Photo: Robin Caddy
