No Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or Snapchat for five whole months. Could you do it?
In this day and age, going a day without using social media seems impossible, let alone an entire five months. Well, that’s what Clemson University and Florida State University football players signed up for when they decided to join their respective teams. As Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher have become accustomed to doing, they are once again banning their players from using social media during football season. This was something that was initiated by the two ACC teams back in 2012, in an effort to get their players to be fully focused on football and school and to get rid of outside distractions. In addition, it also prevents players and the team from getting scrutinized by the media for controversial tweets and posts.
Most players seem to be on board with this idea.
“It’s good that we shut it down,” Clemson offensive lineman Eric Mac Lain said. “I love interacting with people and it’s a great way to build our brand, but during the season you don’t need any of that. When something bad happens, people are going to come at you from all angles, which is unfortunate. You don’t need that negativity.”
“Last day we can be on social media,” FSU defensive back Nate Andrews tweeted on August 4. “Actually a good thing. I really need to focus on football and not tweeting or posting Instagram posts.”
But others recognize that it will be a tough transition for them.
“Every time I pull my phone out, the first thing I want to do is click on Instagram or Twitter or whatever,” said Clemson tight end Stanton Seckinger. “This ban takes that out of your head. It’s not that I don’t still have the urge, but I know I can’t do it, so it doesn’t occupy my thoughts. I don’t exactly love the ban, but I think it’s a great idea.”
In actuality, players don’t have to deactivate or delete their social media accounts, they just have to stay off them. So of course, if players really wanted to, they could still log on and see what’s going on in the world. Just don’t accidentally double tap on a picture on IG or favorite a tweet on Twitter or the lurkers will be quick to catch you.
What do you think of the social media ban? Will this help the team or is it just another way for the school to exert even more control over its players?
Source: USA Today
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