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Bellingham Urges Social Platforms to Tackle Abuse, Presses Athletes to Be Open on Mental Health

Speaking as a Laureus ambassador on World Mental Health Day, the Real Madrid midfielder said he now limits social media to protect his wellbeing.

Overview

  • He appealed to platforms to set limits on abusive comments directed at players, acknowledging the challenge of curbing hate on apps.
  • He encouraged elite athletes to show vulnerability to open conversations for people who feel they are struggling in the dark.
  • He described searching his name on Twitter as a young player and said he now largely avoids reading comments about himself.
  • He spoke of times he felt vulnerable and moved away from a macho persona by emphasizing the value of seeking support.
  • His remarks came after his omission from the latest England squad, which prompted a wave of opinion across traditional and social media.