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Online Abuse in Sport

Learn about online abuse in sports on this course with Dublin City University and the FIA's United Against Online Abuse Campaign.

An athlete looking upset after seeing abusive messages.

Online Abuse in Sport

  • 3 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Combatting online abuse in sports: Protecting the game

Join the crucial fight against online abuse in sports with this transformative course offered by Dublin City University.

On this three-week course, you’ll gain unparalleled insights into the mechanisms of online abuse, its profound impact on athletes, and the essential strategies to counteract this digital threat.

This online course equips sports administrators, coaches, athletes, and fans with the knowledge and tools needed to foster safe and respectful online environments.

Understand the spectrum of online abuse and craft responses to online hate

Start your journey by wholly understanding the various forms of online abuse facing athletes today, from Mbappe to Hamilton.

Delve into the psychological, social, and professional repercussions of internet trolling for athletes, staff, and fans alike. This segment lays the groundwork for recognising the critical signs of abuse and the urgent need for collective action.

From preventive measures to immediate responses, you’ll equip yourself and your sports community with practical tools and insights to make a real-world impact.

Navigate some of the legal complexities in combating online abuse. Explore the existing legal responses, how they can be applied and the challenges that exist.

Empower stakeholders and foster positive change

Lastly, you’ll finish the course by understanding stakeholder roles in fighting online abuse.

You’ll be equipped with the knowledge to develop and execute effective strategies to counter online abuse, leading the movement for a safer, inclusive online sports community.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Introduction to Online Abuse in Sport

    • Vector image of a person cowering away from a computer screen. Hand pointing fingers and yelling abuse are permeating from the computer screen.

      Welcome

      Your Lead Educator will provide an overview of course content and introduce the learning outcomes for Week One.

    • Graffiti graphic of a person yelling abuse.

      Online Abuse in Sport

      This activity focuses on defining the correct terminology and the actions that constitute online abuse. We will consider some of the causes of online abuse in sports, including its characteristics and common triggers.

    • sad and female teenager with tablet computer and laptop suffering cyberbullying and harassment being online abused by stalker or gossip feeling desperate and humiliated in cyber bullying

      Impacts of Online Abuse

      This activity will explore online abuse targets and its impacts on individuals and society. Participants will analyse various facets of online abuse and share their perspectives with their fellow learners.

    • A pair of hands holding a smiley face sticker

      Review Your Learning

      In the final activity for Week One, challenge yourself with a short quiz to test your grasp of the material. Reflect on your journey through this topic and consider what we have covered so far.

  • Week 2

    Legal Responses to Online Abuse in Sport

    • A diagram showing the steps to use blockchain technology for enhancing business operations.

      Welcome

      Your Lead Educator will provide an overview of course content and introduce the learning outcomes for Week Two and introduce legal responses to online abuse.

    • Statue of lady justice and wooden gavel on table in library symbolizing law and justice concept.

      Criminal and Civil Law and Online Abuse

      This activity will explore how criminal and civil law can be used to punish perpetrators of online abuse. We will explore different types of criminal and civil offences and their punishments.

    • A businessman pointing at wooden figures on a table during a meeting.

      Administrative Law and Online Abuse

      This activity will explore how administrative law can be used to regulate online abuse in sports by overseeing the enforcement of laws and regulations that platforms, individuals and other third parties must adhere to.

    • Four light bulbs with yellow and white spheres inside, illustrating innovation and inspiration

      Review Your Learning

      In the final activity for Week Two, challenge yourself with a short quiz to test your grasp of the material. Reflect on your journey through this topic and consider what we have covered so far.

  • Week 3

    Combatting Online Abuse in Sport

    • Welcome

      Your Lead Educator will provide an overview of course content and introduce the learning outcomes for Week Three.

    • Protective and Preventative Measures

      This activity will explore some of the challenges associated with tackling online abuse in sport and the different protective and preventative measures that can be taken against it, such as legal, technological, and educational.

    • Role of Different Stakeholder Groups

      This activity will explore the role that different stakeholder groups play in tackling online abuse. We will discuss the role and responsibilities of the media and sporting organisations.

    • Review Your Learning

      In the final activity for Week Three, challenge yourself with a short quiz to test your grasp of the material. Reflect on your journey through this topic and consider what we have covered so far.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Understand what online abuse is and why it’s important to stop it.
  • Analyse, assess and evaluate the definitions, types and triggers of online abuse.
  • Understand the legal approaches and challenges associated with online abuse.
  • Evaluate the ways in which online abuse can be combatted and the roles of key stakeholders.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for sports personnel, educators, and advocates keen on combating online abuse in their sporting community.

It’s tailored for those aiming to understand, address, and prevent digital harassment, fostering a respectful and safe sports environment.

Who will you learn with?

Theo Lynn

Theo is Professor of Digital Business at DCU Business School and is a PI on the FIA-funded Combatting Online Abuse in Sport project (UAOA) and the Irish Co-PI on the AHRC/IRC-funded TOHIF project.

Gary Sinclair

Gary is the Associate Dean for Internationalisation at DCU Business School. He is the PI on UKRI/IRC funded 'Online Hate in Football' and the FIA-funded 'Combatting Online Abuse in Sport' projects

Penny Coughlan

Penny is a researcher at the Irish Institute of Digital Business at DCU Business School and researcher on the FIA-funded Combatting Online Abuse in Sport project.

Who developed the course?

Dublin City University logo

Dublin City University

Dublin City University is a young, dynamic and ambitious Irish university with a distinctive mission to transform lives and societies through education, research and innovation.

UAOA logo

United Against Online Abuse

The United Against Online Abuse campaign is a collaborative mission between national governments, regulatory institutions and fellow sporting bodies, with the objective of building a global coalition to tackle online abuse within the sport ecosystem.

In collaboration with

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 5 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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