In an age where social media has become both a bridge and a barrier between fans and their favourite footballers, the launch of Striver marks a significant turning point.
Launched in November 2023, the troll-free platform was created by footballers for their fans with a clear mission: to promote positive interactions and eliminate abuse towards players. Founded by entrepreneur Tim Chase and former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva, it aims to transform the discourse around football. Ambassadors including Harry Maguire, Roberto Carlos and Sol Cambell support this initiative, while creators such as freestyle footballer Ben Nuttall have joined and actively promoted the cause.
By leveraging AI technology, Striver moderates content in real time, filtering out harmful language before it is published. The platform tracks user behaviour by calculating a “positivity percentage,” which reflects the overall tone of their interactions. If this percentage falls below 75%, Striver intervenes, offering support through a mental health service that reaches out to the user for assistance.
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In an era where online safety is crucial, Striver’s approach is both innovative and essential. Social media has been praised for connecting fans with athletes, yet it has also facilitated toxic behaviours such as harassment and hate speech. Last year, Ofcom highlighted the extent of the personal attacks on Premier League footballers on X (formerly Twitter), analysing more than 2.3 million posts. The key finding? Seven in ten Premier League footballers reported experiencing abuse on the platform.
The reality of this extends far beyond footballers. Scottish long-distance runner Eilish McColgan revealed she is targeted daily by trolls who branded her as “too skinny” leading up to and during the 2024 Paris Olympics. This issue is not confined to sports. Lifestyle creator and disability activist Lucy Dawson spoke out about the hateful comments she received after her engagement announcement, which led to a loss of 5,314 followers. Podcaster Emily Clarkson recently contacted the police after receiving abusive messages related to her discussion of the “man vs bear” dilemma. Additionally, fitness coach Courtney Black addressed the “abusive” comments she received after being accused of editing her body in images.
Striver is a necessary evolution in how we connect online, particularly in the world of sports, and is a key lesson for other brands and platforms. It demonstrates that safeguarding users doesn’t have to come at the expense of engagement or freedom of expression. It also shows that with the right technology and a commitment to user wellbeing, it’s possible to create a space where positive interaction is the norm.
By Abby Oldroyd, news and features writer for CORQ.
