The internet has changed the landscape of America in terms of overall communication. People from vastly different areas of the country can connect with each other without any issues due to these advances. One of those means of communication is social media.  It is a mean in which people can put whatever they so choose online for the world to see. This is both a great idea and an unsettling one at the same time, especially in this generation.

Social media is a big responsibility, especially for athletes. They are held to a higher standard than other people who use platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. This is because there is a certain level of spotlight that is given to them. It is important that what is put on the internet represents not only the athlete, but the college they play for. Putting coaches on blast, angrily expressing that they want to transfer and even simply using profanity are all issues that athletes should avoid. This is something that athlete Miles Riley has come to understand in his time here at Piedmont.

“I used to put whatever I wanted up on all my accounts, but when I got here I realized that what I put online carries some weight” said Riley. “I don’t want one tweet to be the reason I can’t play sports anymore.”

Riley explains that bad social media habits have consequences that extend even after an athlete moves on from their respective sport. He feels as though social media literacy is one of the best things an athlete can learn because of the long-term benefits.

“I’ve seen so many athletes post inappropriate stuff that may not have gotten them in trouble when they were playing, but it came back around to bite them when they tried to get a job” said Riley. “Being just the smallest bit aware about what you put out there online could pay major dividends for any athlete. That’s why learning social media literacy is so crucial.”