Dragons, together with the three other professional rugby sides in Wales, will stand alongside fellow clubs and sporting bodies in taking part in a social media boycott this weekend.
Our close partners at BT have launched the first stage of a multi-million pound campaign called ‘Draw the Line’ to combat online abuse, hate and discrimination on social media platforms.
The Premier League, English Football League, Scottish Football Association, Scottish Professional Football League, English Premiership and the England and Wales Cricket Board (including all 18 first-class counties) will also be taking part in the boycott.
As a show of solidarity, Dragons, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets will not be publishing any content on their official social media channels from 15:00 on Friday, April 30 to 23:59 on Monday, May 3.
The Dragons Community team and our inclusion partners will also be taking part in this boycott.
The region’s website will still operate during this time and you may still receive digital communications from us.
Mark Jones, Managing Director at Dragons, said: “We will not tolerate hate speech and abusive behaviour in any form on social media.
“As a region this is something which has sadly affected us directly this season and is something we feel very strongly about. It is time to draw a line.
“This weekend’s social media blackout is an important tool to raise awareness of the issue and the implications of online abuse.
“We are proud to stand side-by-side with BT and our fellow Welsh regions to tackle social media abuse and online hate.”
Everyone with an account can make small changes to make the online space safe for all. It’s time to draw the line.
BT has a successful, long-standing relationship with Welsh professional rugby and is the sole joint sponsor of the four Welsh sides. BT has continued its support and investment into the professional game in Wales with a new three-year sponsorship deal with the Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Dragons that runs until September 2023 and will see BT sponsor the four regions for nine consecutive seasons.
This weekend’s social media blackout is an important tool to raise awareness of the issue and the implications of online abuse...
