Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, October 9, 2026 — The world of competitive figure skating is grappling with a significant rise in online abuse directed at young athletes. Teenage skaters, in particular, are reportedly facing a barrage of harmful comments on social media platforms, creating a toxic digital environment that is impacting their careers and well-being.

Olympic gold medalist Evan Bates has voiced concerns, highlighting the detrimental effects of these online spaces, especially during livestreamed skating events. Bates warned of the pervasive nature of toxic commentary that can surround such broadcasts, affecting the athletes involved.

In response to this growing issue, the International Skating Union (ISU) has announced a multi-faceted approach to combat online abuse. The organization is actively participating in a campaign dedicated to fighting online harassment within the sport.

Furthermore, the ISU is set to expand an existing program that utilizes artificial intelligence. This initiative provides skaters with AI-powered software designed to automatically detect and hide harmful or abusive comments from their social media accounts. The expansion aims to offer this protective technology to a broader range of athletes, thereby creating a safer online experience. The specific details regarding the timeline for this expansion and the exact capabilities of the AI software were not immediately available.

The trend underscores a broader challenge faced by athletes across various sports, where the accessibility of social media can unfortunately lead to increased vulnerability to cyberbullying and harassment. The ISU’s efforts represent a significant step by a governing body to address these digital threats and protect its young competitors.

Story summarized from the original created by By JAMES ELLINGWORTH, Associated Press on www.local10.com, see more information here.

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