Ad

Latest Posts

EXCLUSIVE! Anna Geary opens up about the ‘very dark side of social media’ ahead of new RTÉ show

Anna Geary has opened up about the “very dark side of social media” ahead of her new RTÉ show.

‘Why Girls Quit Sport’ will see the former All Ireland winning Cork Camogie captain visit a secondary school in Dublin to create a ladies Gaelic football team, hoping to show the impact sport can have on young girls physical and mental health.

Speaking exclusively to Goss.ie about her “passion project”, the 33-year-old said sports can offer young people an escape from their phones and social media, where they face massive pressures and online bullying.

She said: “Social media plays a massive part in the lives of young people. It’s nearly a form of identity for them. It’s a reality of life now that we can’t brush aside.”

“We really have to come up with a solution to help them manage their social media usage and the impact that it has on them.”

“Teenage girls down through the years have always been a bit body conscious and vulnerable at the age. Your body is changing, you’re self-conscious, you’ve insecurities.”

“But add social media in on top of that, and you’ve images online of a ‘perfect body type’. There’s a massive pressure on them to look a certain way,” Anna explained.

“We all know the physical benefits of sport but the mental health benefits, the social benefits, the self-esteem and the confidence are things we can also learn through sport. They’re things that are valuable to us in every aspect of life.”

“Sport is an outlet to switch off and escape whatever is happening in your life. A place to be with your friends, do some physical activity and to run around and have fun.”

“I was an emotional wreck in the second episode because I could see with my own eyes the impact that sport had on the girls in such a short space of time.”

The RTÉ star said there needs to be more accountability on social media to stop anonymous accounts trolling people.

“Social media can be a really positive place for young people. It can be a platform for them to showcase their talents. It can be a place where they can express themselves. But there is a very dark side of social media.”

“Online bullying, trolling, anonymous messaging… There needs to be something done about it. It’s hard enough as an adult to see a comment written about you online, imagine what that is doing to a young person? It can have a massive impact and leave a lasting impression.”

“There are certain things you cannot say to somebody on the street face-to-face, so why should you be able to say anything different online?”

“I find it ironic that people tweet about the hashtag #BeKind and then the same people will be slating someone on Twitter or writing in a forum. Do they not see what they are doing and how it is completely contradicting the hashtag in their bio?”

“Young people shouldn’t have to live in a world where they can be subjected to that kind of mistreatment 24-7. You can’t get away from your phone. If you were picked on in school, at least you could get away from it when you went home. Now, it follows them home.”

“We have to come up with something because there is going to be long-term implications otherwise… We need to act now to make sure we can tackle it before it’s too late.”

Anna Geary: Why Girls Quit Sport airs on Thursday 15th and 22nd July, RTÉ2 at 9:30pm.

Ad

Latest Posts

Don't Miss