Tuesday, November 10, 2026 - Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice has opened up about his decision to reduce social media usage, highlighting the mental toll online toxicity can take.
Having faced online abuse alongside his long-term partner,
Lauren Fryer, whose previous targeted harassment led her to clear her Instagram
profile, Rice revealed that he quit X (formerly Twitter) three years ago to
protect his well-being.
"You could be having a great morning. You read
one thing, and it just ruins your whole day," Rice told GQ Magazine after
being named among their Men of the Year. "I feel like that's one of my
strongest points... the ability to block out noise and not deal with that kind
of stuff."
Rice, who shares a four-year-old son named Jude with Fryer,
also expressed concern over the psychological impact of digital immersion on
younger generations, noting a decline in genuine personal expression.
Addressing the broader economic landscape of elite sports,
the 27-year-old who is closing in on a lucrative new long-term contract
extension at Arsenal admitted that the financial figures in professional
football are "ridiculous." Despite his wealth, Rice emphasized the
importance of instilling grounded work ethics and financial awareness in his
son.
"You still want to teach your kid values, not wanting
them to be spoiled. You want them to work and to understand the value of life
and money," Rice said. "It makes you more comfortable to be able to
do things. But I don't wake up and think, 'Oh, I've got loads of money',
it's not the end goal."
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