ENGLAND striker Alessia Russo says she now avoids social media at major tournaments after previously falling into the “trap” of reading “really damaging” comments.

On Tuesday tennis player Katie Boulter lifted the lid on the level of abuse aimed at some in her sport and revealed she and her family have received death threats.

Arsenal forward Russo, who is gearing up for next month’s Euros, said she could empathise with Boulter and has learned to avoid the platforms for the benefit of both her mental health and her football.

“I think every player might have a different story about that side of the game, but it’s definitely one that can be really damaging,” said Russo.

“I have faced it in the past and I think most players here have. When I was younger I probably got sucked into it more. I read it more than I should have and listened to it more than I should have. The only opinions that matter are my team-mates, my coaches and my family.

“I think you have to remember that they are the people you need to lean on in tough times. As I’ve got older, I understand more what works for me. In my first Euros I was on social media and I would have a look, have a scroll, and I got caught in a trap sometimes.

“Going into the World Cup, I completely came off everything and I had people to run my Instagram. I just focused on the tournament. It’s personal preference and whatever works for the team. Staying away from it and staying focused as a team is what works for me.”

In 2020, a BBC Sport survey found that over 30 per cent of elite female athletes had experienced online trolling, while World Athletics found that sportswomen were the target of 87 per cent of abuse on social media sites Facebook and Twitter.

Kick It Out, working with Ofcom, released a report last month exposing the emotional and long-term harm of social media abuse. The anti-discrimination organisation is calling for urgent action from tech companies to provide users with real, practical tools to take control of their online experiences.

“The impact of online abuse is undeniable, and the rise in discriminatory social media reports to Kick It Out last season shows it’s getting worse,” said Kick It Out Chair Sanjay Bhandari.

“This isn’t about a few hateful comments. It’s about a culture of abuse that’s become normalised. It’s about a social media ecosystem that too often enables and amplifies hate. And it’s about victims who feel imprisoned by that culture.

“Social media companies can introduce meaningful user controls now, tools that give people real choice over what they see and experience online. If they don’t, Ofcom must hold them to account through strong, consistent enforcement.”