Should pro athletes expect privacy? Woso edition

[@Gabbame11]

The bigger issue for me was people deciding she was cheating from a grainy video and spreading lies. They're affecting real people's lives

[@_MindfulAthlete]

Thanks for your comment :) And yes, you're absolutely right! People are really comfortable spreading rumours as fact when they aren't confirmed. Hopefully Katie's video has made some people realize it's safer to not assume things!

[@charlottehill9409]

100% I think the issue is para social relationships. Of course she wasn’t doing anything wrong here however even if she was ‘doing something wrong’ her job is a football player and what she gets up to in her free time isn’t anyone else’s business in my opinion as she’s still doing her job as a player. Fans even going as far as to comment on their relatives social media accounts is definitely taking it too far when they themselves haven’t chosen a ‘public figure’ life.

[@_MindfulAthlete]

Thanks for your comment and yes for sure! I thought of mentioning how Amber Gill had to speak out because fans were messaging her about the club incident. The strong connection some fans have with players definitely leads to blurred lines regarding what's appropriate/inappropriate behaviour.

[@caroljacobsen3596]

Great presentation on this issue. One thing about para social relationships, athletes like Katie McCabe are “cultivating” a fan base by the very nature of their Instagram accounts. Therefore, maybe she and others might benefit from some formal media training It is obvious that some female football athletes have embarked on an informal broadcasting career and manage it well.

[@_MindfulAthlete]

Interesting point! Parasocial relationships do feel a bit inevitable if you're an athlete sharing your personal life on Instagram. If it doesn't already exist, I think teams probably will move towards mandatory social media training given the times we're living in.

[@eleonoraangelone4975]

Katie💪💚

[@_MindfulAthlete]

Thanks for your comment! :)

[@rasclotify]

The really real REAL issue is our obsession with fame and fame culture. The many layers of this topic have never been unpacked properly. Why should we care about Katie McCabe's ability to maintain loyalty to her girlfriend? We don't know her. She may be a complete jerk in real life regardless of her skills on the pitch. I've known some "rock stars" from my roadie days that were adored and struck awe in people just for the fact they could play music and were on a stage but behind closed doors were narcissistic selfish ppl. We have a problem with fame in society, truly, see no further than who we elected as president. It's high time we reevaluate why we are SO fame obsessed, are we frustrated we don't get the same accolades as "normal" ppl? Or do we just want to feel closer to our perceived "role models" by knowing intimate details about their lives? We gotta stop the romance. Maybe have different heroes who admiration has been gained through displays of character and not just the simple fact that they are often in front of a camera. Our values in many areas are upside down, fame obsession is one of them. (Also, I'm a teacher, we are trained as a standard practice to block kid's faces in photos because they are underage & online unsavory illegal business that is not consented can occur with that population if you catch my drift. It's not just an issue of exposure, it's more seedy than that. DON'T ever post children's faces as a rule.)

[@_MindfulAthlete]

Thanks for this and some really good points made. It's obvious the "obsession" with famous people is beyond woso and is pervasive in society as you highlight. I think woso is special in that many girls do feel inspired by players especially if they are young soccer kids themselves. So I think there are times where I understand the role model aspect. But yes, I'll never get why some get so deep into the personal lives of players.