During the recent World Darts Championship, professional dart player Stephen Bunting disclosed that his 13-year-old son, Toby Bunting, has faced online abuse. This revelation came after Bunting’s elimination from the tournament, where he lost in the third round to James Hurrell at Alexandra Palace.
Impact of Online Trolling on Family
In a heartfelt message posted on X, Bunting expressed the emotional toll that social media trolling has taken on his family. He stated, “I love my family so much and they give me massive motivation to continue this journey.” Bunting emphasized that he believes he still has much to contribute to the sport and aims to make his family proud.
The 40-year-old athlete revealed that the negative comments affect not only him but also his son, who has been subjected to hate from online trolls. “Toby is one of the nicest kids you could wish to meet and I’ll be doing a lot more social stuff with him this coming year,” he added, highlighting the importance of family support in challenging times.
Emotional Reflections on Championship Journey
Prior to this incident, Bunting had openly discussed his own experiences with online abuse during an interview following his second-round victory at the championship. He praised the fans for their support, stating, “The fans were unbelievable tonight again, you feel the emotion. The walk-on was exceptional.” Bunting acknowledged that the online hate had initially affected his mindset going into the game but credited the venue’s atmosphere for helping him overcome those negative feelings.
“But the fans inside the venue, they know how special they are to me and I was able to use the energy to push myself through,” he shared with talkSPORT.
This incident shines a light on the broader issue of online harassment, particularly affecting public figures and their families. Bunting’s willingness to speak out adds a personal dimension to the conversation about the impact of digital abuse, reaffirming the need for a supportive community both online and offline.
As the darts community rallies around Bunting and his family, the hope is that increased awareness will lead to a decrease in such harmful behavior. His commitment to engaging more with his son on social media may also help foster a more positive environment, not only for themselves but for others facing similar challenges.
With the World Darts Championship continuing, Bunting’s journey serves as a reminder of the human side of competitive sports, where personal struggles often intertwine with public performances.
