Love Island to bring back social media ban

Image source, ITV/Shutterstock

  • Author, Bonnie McLaren
  • Role, 成人论坛 Newsbeat

Love Island will be reintroducing its social media ban for the upcoming summer series.

ITV have told 成人论坛 Newsbeat that contestants won't be able to have friends and family post on their behalf while they're in the villa.

The ban was first introduced in 2023 as part of new duty of care protocols.

But it was lifted during Love Island All Stars - a spin-off where former islanders returned looking for a second chance at love.

An ITV spokesperson said the move was part of its "continued commitment to duty of care".

"Islanders participating in the forthcoming eleventh series of Love Island will again be asked to pause their social media accounts."

ITV added the aim was to help "shield contestants and their families from the adverse impacts of social media".

Psychologist Jo Hemmings, who has worked behind the scenes on a variety of reality TV shows, previously told Newsbeat when the ban was introduced that Love Island has a "gold standard" when it comes to duty of care.

"I think the protocols, particularly the one about pausing the social media accounts, will certainly help the families or people managing those accounts," she said.

Since 2019 - and following the deaths of previous contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon - bosses have offered islanders at least eight therapy sessions after their time on the show.

But Zara Lackenby-Brown, who was on the first series to have the social media ban, told Newsbeat the restriction didn't stop her family from seeing abuse directed towards her.

"If people can't message your account, people are going to find another way," said Zara.

"They're going to make a TikTok video, they're going to make a YouTube video, they're going to make another account to talk about reactions.

"My family definitely experienced the trolling towards me, regardless of whether my account was paused or not.

"And it's actually a shame. Because islanders' channels have previously been open, that's been a way for the friends and family to be able to have a voice," she added.

The release date for summer Love Island is yet to be confirmed, but is expected to be the beginning of June.

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