Social Media Devices To Prevent FIFA Online Harassment Are Available For 211 Member States

Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr is often the target of harassment/DOK. INSTAGRAM @vinijr

JAKARTA Social media devices from FIFA's international football parent designed to protect players from online harassment or online will now be available to all 211 member associations and his team.

FIFA officially confirmed that the tool coincided with International Day against Hate Speech, Tuesday, June 18.

The Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) was developed by FIFA and the FIFPRO player union. This device was first offered to all teams at the 2023 Women's World Cup to help moderate hate speech on social media and hide harmful content.

FIFA said that a number of teams competing at Euro 2024 which were currently underway and the Copa America, which began on Friday, June 21, had joined SMPS.

"We have known how effective this service is in the FIFA tournament and it makes sense that we provide it for all 211 FIFA member associations everywhere and whenever they play," FIFA said.

The tool was first launched at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Since then, this service has managed to hide 2.6 million harsh comments from public view.

Nearly 31,000 gross content was also reported to social media giants such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. The report made accounts that commented rudely on players later suspended.

"We need to protect all players, coaches, officials, and teams from harassment and their followers," continued FIFA.

One in five players became the target of online harassment during the 2023 Women's World Cup.

SMPS plans to be used at upcoming events such as the Olympics in Paris, the U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia, the Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan, and the U-17 Women's World Cup in the Dominican Republic.