Arsenal Footballer Declan Rice steps back from social media after sick trolling of his girlfriend

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."

Following his recognition in GQ, Rice shifts his focus to international duty as England prepares to host Croatia in the UEFA Nations League before traveling to face reigning World Cup champions Spain.