Luke Littler has implemented changes to his social media privacy settings following significant online abuse stemming from his recent altercation with Gian van Veen, reports BritPanorama.
The 19-year-old, who manages his own social media presence, has garnered a substantial following since his breakthrough at the PDC World Darts Championship in December 2023, where he had just 4,000 Instagram followers. Now, that number has surged to 2.1 million as his profile has grown internationally.
To mitigate the impact of negativity, Littler activated Instagram features to disable comments on posts, allowing him to control the interactions he undergoes. This was particularly relevant following his on-stage clash with Van Veen at the Premier League event in Manchester on April 2. He faced considerable backlash while sharing content regarding Manchester United, a team often polarising among fans.
Reflecting on the challenges posed by social media, Littler stated, “I am always on social media. I see everything.” He further mentioned that he took steps to manage responses to his content even before the incident, ensuring that any mentions could be filtered. Littler pointed out that, as fellow player Gerwyn Price advised, negative feedback tends to dissipate quickly in the fast-paced world of social media.
Despite the recent challenges, Littler has continued to perform at a high level, recently defeating competitors Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen before a decisive victory against Jonny Clayton in Liverpool.
His triumph showcased both his skill and resilience, highlighting an important learning curve in managing public perception. As he navigates this new reality of fame, Littler remains focused on his game, determined to move past the noise surrounding him. The tension between personal achievements and public scrutiny continues to be a significant theme for rising stars in sports, reminding us how quickly admiration can turn to criticism.
