Sport, Social Media, and Digital Technology: Sociological Approaches

Social media and digital technologies have transformed the sport industry, impacting athletes, fans, and society. This volume explores how sociological approaches can enhance our understanding of these technologies' effects and outcomes on sport stakeholders, such as gender, sexuality, racism, identity, politics, mental health, and surveillance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2022
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

Social media and digital technologies have emerged as powerful forces in the world of sports, revolutionizing the way athletes, fans, and organizations interact and engage with the sport. From athletes using social media platforms to connect with fans and share their experiences, to sports organizations leveraging digital marketing and public relations strategies, to coaches and athletic trainers utilizing digital technology to monitor athletes' biometric data, these technologies have permeated every aspect of the sport industry. While the literature on the intersection of sport and social and digital media primarily focuses on marketing and management, it is important to recognize that these technologies have far-reaching effects and outcomes that impact athletes, fans, and society as a whole.

In response to this need, this volume brings together a collection of essays from leading global scholars working in diverse areas such as sport sociology, sport management, sport media, and sport communication. The aim of this volume is to illustrate how sociological approaches are essential in enhancing our understanding of sport and social media and digital technology.

The essays in this volume address a wide range of topics, including gender, sexuality, racism, identity, politics, mental health, and surveillance. By employing sociological lenses, scholars provide valuable insights into how these topics intersect with sport and offer important analyses that shed light on the comprehensive effects of social media and digital technology on sport stakeholders.

One of the key themes explored in the essays is the impact of social media on athletes and their relationships with fans. Social media platforms have provided athletes with a powerful tool to connect with a global audience, but they have also raised concerns about privacy, cyberbullying, and the pressure to maintain a certain image. The essays in this volume examine how social media affects athletes' mental health, their self-esteem, and their ability to negotiate the complex social dynamics of the sport industry.

Another important topic addressed in the essays is the role of digital technology in monitoring and managing athletes' performance. With the advent of wearable devices and advanced analytics, coaches and athletic trainers can gather vast amounts of data on athletes' biometric information, which can be used to optimize training programs, prevent injuries, and improve performance. However, the use of digital technology also raises questions about privacy, consent, and the ethical implications of collecting and analyzing this data.

The essays in this volume also explore the impact of social media and digital technology on fans and the broader sport community. Fans can now access live streaming of sports events, engage with athletes and other fans through social media, and participate in virtual communities dedicated to their favorite sports. However, the rise sports media has also been criticized for promoting stereotypes, promoting violence, and creating a culture of toxic masculinity. The essays in this volume examine how social media and digital technology shape fans' attitudes and behaviors, and how they contribute to the broader sport community's social and cultural norms.

In conclusion, the literature at the intersection of sport and social and digital media is vast and diverse, covering a wide range of topics and perspectives. This volume brings together a collection of essays from leading global scholars working in diverse areas as sport sociology, sport management, sport media, and sport communication to illustrate how sociological approaches are imperative to enhancing our understanding of sport and social media and digital technology. By employing sociological lenses, scholars provide valuable insights into how these technologies impact athletes, fans, and society as a whole, and offer important analyses that shed light on the complex and multifaceted effects of social media and digital technology on the sport industry.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800716841