ISF Joins United Against Online Abuse Coalition, Bringing Digital Safety Education to School Athletes
Oct. 28, Lausanne, Switzerland – ISF has joined the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) Coalition, reinforcing its commitment to protecting young athletes and promoting safer digital environments in school sport.
The new cooperation was put into practice during the ISF Football World Cup 2026 in Suzhou, China, where UAOA representatives and safeguarding experts delivered educational workshops to participating school athletes as part of the ISF Academy programme.
Throughout the event, introductory UAOA session of ISF Academy workshops were delivered in five languages, helping school athletes recognise different forms of online abuse, understand their potential impact and learn practical steps to protect themselves in digital environments.
A central message of the sessions was that young athletes do not have to face online abuse alone. By encouraging awareness and help-seeking, the workshops aimed to equip participants with knowledge and confidence to navigate online challenges.
The initiative adds a new dimension to the educational opportunities offered through the ISF Academy, complementing existing courses on safeguarding, anti-doping and injury prevention.
By signing the UAOA Charter, ISF has become part of this international coalition bringing together more than 80 governments, sports organisations, academic institutions and technology organisations working to address online abuse in sport.
Founded in 2023 by FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, United Against Online Abuse promotes coordinated action through research, policy advocacy and cooperation across the sporting community.
For ISF, joining the Coalition provides an opportunity to connect its international school sport network with wider efforts to address digital risks affecting young athletes.
ISF President Željko Tanasković said: “The mental and physical well-being of young athletes is at the heart of the International School Sport Federation's mission. Our school athletes are growing up in the era of social media, and it is essential that we give them the tools to stay informed and protected from all kind of online abuse. That is why we are delighted to join the United Against Online Abuse Coalition. Through the ISF Academy, all school athletes already follow courses on safeguarding, anti-doping and injury prevention. Adding online abuse to this curriculum strengthens our commitment to a safe digital environment for all.”
FIA President and UAOA Founder H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem said:
“Sport has the power to shape lives, inspire ambition, and build confidence in young people worldwide. By joining the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) Coalition, the International School Sport Federation reinforces its commitment to promoting safe, respectful digital environments for young athletes. Protecting the next generation from online harassment is both a fundamental duty of care and a critical investment in the integrity of sport.”
As social media and digital communication become increasingly important in young people's lives, understanding online abuse and knowing how to respond to it are essential elements of athlete safeguarding. The cooperation with UAOA reflects ISF's approach to international school sport, in which educational activities complement sporting competition and contribute to the personal development and well-being of young athletes.
The workshops in Suzhou marked a practical first step in the cooperation between ISF and UAOA, bringing digital safety education into an international school sport environment and highlighting the importance of protecting the next generation in an increasingly connected world.
