Thierry Henry quits social media, citing 'mental torture' from 'toxic' racism and bullying

[ASFN Admin]

Thierry Henry has become the most high profile sporting figure to quit social media in disgust at inaction against online racism and bullying. The former Arsenal striker explained in a statement that the "sheer volume" of abuse is resulting in "mental torture" that is "too toxic to ignore". He aims particular anger at Facebook and Twitter taking an apparently tougher stance on copyright infringements than they do on the proliferation trolling. Henry's pledge to shut down his social media channels from Saturday come a month after English football's governing bodies united in attacking Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter chief Jack Dorsey for failing to show "basic human decency" in tackling abuse against players. Facebook said in response that it was "part of the working group convened by Kick it Out and will continue to work alongside all the industry bodies, the police and the Government to help tackle racism both on and offline”. However, Henry, who was most recently manager of Major League Soccer club Montreal Impact, is demanding more "accountability".

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