On the morning of the Australian Boxing Titles final, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Shelley Watts says she was in tears.
While the 28-year-old is trained to handle the rigours of professional boxing, it was cyberbullying that pushed her to breaking point.
"... I won one of my bouts and a lot of people didn't think that I had won the fight, and on social media they personally attacked me," Watts said.
"Unfortunately I looked at those comments and they upset me leading into a fight, and I was actually crying the morning of my final bout."
Watts - along with 2,200 of the nation's best athletes - now has access to a social media resource to help her avoid cyberbullying and cybercrime.
Developed by the Australian Institute of Sport and Federal Police, myAISplaybook is an online tool for elite athletes, providing them with advice on how to navigate social media.
Watts said she no longer reads comments on social media during competition.
"I don't need the opportunity for a negative comment to come through and affect my performance," Watts said.
"I had to make decisions and make a stance for myself."
AIS personal excellence manager Megan Fritsch told AAP said online abuse often involved an athlete's body image or even comments about their family.
"It is very hurtful and can be very emotionally damaging to that person involved," she said.
While there are risks associated with social media, Watts said it was an important tool.
"I just think we need to learn how to use it correctly," she said.
