Baker Mayfield has signed on to social media – probably other athletes should too! – Social Media Explorer

Baker Mayfield, a quarterback from the Cleveland Browns, announced last week that he would be leaving social media for the foreseeable future – citing the toxic environment he faced after a turbulent season. Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, the Browns’ first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, is the latest to leave social media.

Today, it is very common to find yourself in a crosshair from critics of athletes and celebrities – and many times it can be very personal. All people feel this kind of criticism, even athletes.

Tom Cannon, DNP (PMHNP-BC), assistant dean of online graduate nursing, professor at Regis College, explains that it affects them as much as anyone else.

Canon warned that constant criticism could lead to negative self-talk and lower self-esteem. It can cause frustration, anger and resentment. If it continues for too long, it can lead to anxiety and depression.

Although the process of good support and coping is already established in very successful people – and it can help them to be strong against such negativity – if it is sunk long enough, it will erode even the strongest mindset.

Canon said that criticism can lead to low self-esteem for some and high self-defeat for others. For others, it may be a catalyst for self-reflection and the ’emergence of a challenge’ to disprove their critics. How this happens depends on how the person sees themselves and their self-concept.

While many of us like to think that we are not worried about what others are thinking, this is often not true. Negative comments from athletes in the limelight can be hard to ignore.

Dr. Nathaniel N. Ivers Wake is an associate professor and chairman of the counseling department at Forest University. He said that “criticism” could have a negative impact on people’s mental and emotional health. It can lead to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. You may experience increased emotional response or isolation from others. This can change the way you view others and diminish your ability to communicate.

Social media makes it easier for fans – and critics – to tear apart athletes than ever before. Baker Mayfield acknowledged the need to distance himself from the negative comments he faced through social media platforms.

Schadenfreude effect

The biggest problem right now is that it is easy to attack people on social media.

Ivers added that Schadenfreude, a psychological concept, suggests that people are more likely to experience happiness when they witness or learn about another person’s problems and failures. Studies show that people with low self-esteem are more likely to enjoy their insults and failures than people with high self-esteem. Shadenfried can explain some of the scary comments made by politicians and professional athletes in the media and on social media. Individuals with low self-esteem are trying to increase their emotional balance and emotional stability by ostracizing the other person.

Although Schadenfreude is a common emotion in any relationship, it can be exaggerated by social media due to its ability to provide unprecedented access for high-profile individuals.

Ivers says it is vital that individuals protect themselves from toxic environments that could lower their self-esteem and mental health. Although it can be difficult for athletes and high-profile individuals to perceive that others think negatively of them and they probably talk about them on social networks, the impact will be much less if the individual accepts this negativity consistently and directly.

A celebrity. A brand

Where the problem becomes more complex – especially for athletes – they are sometimes more than just one person. Brand ambassadors are what they do. A portion of their income comes from product promotion capabilities. It can be difficult for athletes to give up the social media platforms that are used to promote the brand.

Melissa Davis, PhD, assistant professor of sports administration at Ohio University, says Baker Mayfield is an individual, with many rights, and a professional athlete.

Davis said Mayfield represents himself, his Browns brand and the NFL. He also supports other organizations. Each of these partnerships is guaranteed by a contractual agreement that outlines the proper relationship and obligations between the Mayfield organization and Mayfield. Mayfield must consider both his personal well-being and the well-being of his family. Mayfield will also have to weigh his earnings as a public figure and contractual measure.

Many brands pay huge amounts of money to professional athletes to support their products through advertising and print advertising on their social media. Sometimes, these brands can allow athletes to appear on the company’s social media. However, more often than not, the brand will pay for the approval or advertising of celebrities or sports celebrities on social media pages. This is called effective marketing.

Davis says brands gain exposure to the target audience of athletes. While these deals may provide athletes with a lucrative way to earn extra income streams, engaging with social media through the NFL and the Cleveland Browns is not an obligation. Mayfield seems to have weighed potential earnings on social media against the possibility of reducing tensions in his personal life and has decided not to run.

Time is running out – but will it help?

For Mayfield, he may have moved away from social media, but it is impossible to avoid what is being said today – perhaps more than trying to avoid TV or newspapers. In fact, the news of Mayfield’s departure from social media has put him back in the spotlight – where such articles now focus on the causes. Even those with whom you may not agree. This is notYou may have been following football for some time and suddenly realize what a problem he had this season.

Still, abandoning social media may present some benefits for Mayfield – as well as others who view the platforms as more negative than positive.

Canon said that leaving social media can have a positive effect on a person. Negative comments can be erased from your life, which will reduce stress. It’s like the old saying, “out of sight, out of mind.” One of the hardest things for elite athletes and high-profile people is to find a way to get rid of all the negative comments, as they will still see it on TV, in newspapers / magazines and on the internet. Not just social media in general.

Mayfield can take a break on social media to avoid a flood of negativity.

Canon said that although he could still be aware of the criticism, the benefits would be doubled. The first is that criticism will not be so visible. Second, criticism published in magazines or news / TV programs will come with a recognizable source. This will make it easier for the individual to evaluate the validity of any comment.