Chiefs' Baxter worried about social media's effect on players: 'Depression and drug abuse is real'

"Have the right distance."

Kaizer Chiefs mentor Stuart Baxter again reminded the South African sporting fraternity of the unseen effects social media has on the mental health of its stars.

The issue has reared its head again in the build-up to Amakhosi's DStv Premiership meeting with SuperSport United, who are currently without a full-time head coach, at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Baxter, himself relentlessly bombarded on various platforms due to the side's inconsistent results, even revealed that he knows of one young player who turned to banned substances to deal with criticism.

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"I don't take part in social media, I don't need to speak or listen to opinions of some people that almost make a profession out of going online and commenting on things they’ve not really got the deepest knowledge about," he said.

"It's got to be the knowledge of a supporter – I don't mind them having their banter, sitting in bars or whatever discussing and criticising.

"But when you've got young players that are deeply affected, to the point of depression and medication, then I don't think the advice from me would be to be switched into social media to such a deep level.

"You have to be able to take part if you want to, but you also have to be able to step back from it to see that social media is a phenomenon and not a judge and jury."

However, Baxter is realistic enough to acknowledge that maintaining the right perspective on the matter is easier said than done as social media is woven into the fabric of modern society.

"You must be able to take part if you want to, yeah, but you will also have to take a step back from it and see that social media is a