While we continue to not-so-patiently await the return of Love Island 2023 (the first winter series in two years!) ITV bosses have announced new duty of care guidelines that will see all contestants deactivate their social media accounts. Here's what Love Island 2023's social media rules mean for new islanders and all the other new steps ITV is introducing ahead of season nine...
Yep, for the first time in Love Island history, you won't be able to follow your favorite singleton during their search for love!
As part of new measures, all islanders will pause their social media accounts (including Twitter and Instagram) for the duration of their time on the show, in a bid to avoid the 'adverse effects of social media' and protect the contestants and their loved ones from online trolling and abuse.
As fans will know, in previous years contestants left their socials in the hands of friends, family, or PR teams before jetting to the villa. Those in control of their accounts would then post regular updates of their time on the show and remind viewers to vote.
This would ordinarily result in a huge influx of followers, catapulting the islanders to almost overnight fame—with many leaving the show to then become successful influencers thanks to their online platform, like Molly-Mae Hague for example.
However, season nine will be a little different, as not only will it see new host Maya Jama enter the chat, but contestants will have to make their social media platforms 'dormant' during their time in the competition.
Commenting on the new rules, Dr Matthew Gould, chartered Clinical Psychologist and consultant for Love Island's duty of care team, said: “The enhanced safeguards introduced for Love Island 2023 demonstrate ITV’s commitment to evolve Duty of Care protocols to minimize harm, where possible.
"The bold decision to pause Islanders’ social media activity during the new series is testament to ITV’s serious intent, especially as this input provides both a benefit to the appeal of the program and a potential source of mental health problems."
Adding, "Balancing this “tight-rope” requires both the identification of which safeguards have the greatest positive impact on participants' wellbeing and the professional partnership, put in place by ITV, especially between producers and their welfare teams, and most importantly, the contributors themselves.”
Fans will however still be able to catch up with Love Island First Look and updates on each episode from Love Island's official social media platforms.
And this isn't the only measure being introduced for the upcoming season. As well as the inclusive training brought in for Love Island 2022, season nine will also see contestants receive 'enhanced training around behavior in relationships'—following on from the thousands of Ofcom complaints season eight received for alleged misogyny and bullying behavior seen on the show.
Dr Paul Litchfield, who is part of ITV's duty of care team also commented, "The Duty of Care arrangements for Love Island continue to evolve in the light of advances in scientific knowledge and awareness of the pressures young people face in establishing healthy relationships."
What has Love Island 2023's host Maya Jama said about social media?
Love Island's new host, Maya—who will be joined by new panelists Indiyah Polack and Sam Thompson for Love Island Aftersun—has now shared her thoughts on social media.
The presenter appeared on This Morning to discuss the upcoming winter season and to share some important social media advice with the new Love Island 2023 cast.
She said: "I would say, if you're already a heavy social media user, use it for fun, enjoy it—if it gets too much, come off of it. Just kind of use it for what it's for, and if you don't want the extra bits, have some time off. It's good for everyone to have a little breather I think."
Adding, "Post and go—and also just cater it so it's just your friends and stuff that you see if it does get a bit too much."
Maya then went on to share her own approach to social media, writing: "On my Instagram, I literally mute everything, unless it's my personal circle and then you have your own happy bubble don't you, most of the time. So I think, cater it to you as much as you can."
