Love Island announced their new duty of care measures for 2023 on Friday ahead of next month’s series in South Africa – and there are some big changes in store. 

ITV2 will ban Islanders’ social media activity during show and will give enhanced training around behaviour in relationships after a controversial summer series in 2022. 

It comes after Love Island received more than 5,000 Ofcom complaints this year, with viewers sharing their concerns about ‘misogynistic behaviour and bullying’.  

Important: Love Island announced their new duty of care measures for 2023 on Friday ahead of next month's series in South Africa - and there are some big changes in store

Important: Love Island announced their new duty of care measures for 2023 on Friday ahead of next month’s series in South Africa – and there are some big changes in store 

Now ITV will have said a comprehensive package of welfare measures remain in place for programme contributors to ensure stars are fully supported before, during and after the filming period.

As part of extended measures to protect both the Islanders and their families from ‘the adverse effects of social media’, participants will be asked to pause handles and accounts on their social media platforms for the duration of their time on the show.

Islanders’ accounts will remain dormant while they are in the Villa, so that nothing is published on their behalf.

Change: ITV2 will ban Islanders' social media activity during series and will give enhanced training around behaviour in relationships after a controversial summer series in 2022 (Luca Bish is pictured)

Change: ITV2 will ban Islanders’ social media activity during series and will give enhanced training around behaviour in relationships after a controversial summer series in 2022 (Luca Bish is pictured) 

Additionally, ahead of entering the Villa, Islanders will also receive guidance and training around mutually respective behaviour in relationships. 

Participants will be offered resource links to ‘read up on, in advance of meeting their fellow Islanders, to help them identify negative behaviours in relationships and understand the behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercive behaviour.’

ITV added that stars continue to be offered video training and guidance covering inclusive language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, and microaggressions. 

Complaints: Love Island has received more than 5,000 Ofcom complaints this year, with viewers sharing their concerns about 'misogynistic behaviour and bullying' (Tasha Ghouri is pictured)

Complaints: Love Island has received more than 5,000 Ofcom complaints this year, with viewers sharing their concerns about ‘misogynistic behaviour and bullying’ (Tasha Ghouri is pictured) 

Love Island received more than 5,000 Ofcom complaints during this year’s series, with viewers sharing their concerns about ‘misogynistic behaviour and bullying’.

The UK’s media regulator confirmed to MailOnline the regulator received 1,509 complaints on July 19 – and the majority were about alleged misogynistic behaviour from the male islanders towards the female cast after the Snog, Marry, Pie challenge.

Viewers were upset about how dancer and model Tasha Ghouri, 23, was treated when she was pied three times – with some calling the boys’ behaviour ‘bullying’.

Love Island was previously rocked by 2,648 complaints after explosive Movie Night episodes, while 427 fans also complained about the July 17 episode of Aftersun when Laura Whitmore and panellists speculated on what happened between Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, 27, and George Tasker, 23, in the bedroom.

Upcoming: The next series will be hosted by Maya Jama - who has taken over from Laura Whitmore - in South Africa

Upcoming: The next series will be hosted by Maya Jama – who has taken over from Laura Whitmore – in South Africa

And in the first four weeks of the show, Love Island was hit by 781 complaints over concerns about bullying, age gap romances and the mental health of contestants.

Women’s Aid stated at the time that they were in talks with the show over some of the behaviour displayed by the males.

The record for the most Love Island complaints made to Ofcom was in August 2021, when the regulator received 24,763 Ofcom complaints over Faye Winter ‘s expletive-filled row with Teddy Soares.

Incredible! Love Island bosses have reportedly splashed out on a £1.2M villa which will see the contestants compete like Gladiators to win the show's sportiest season yet

Incredible! Love Island bosses have reportedly splashed out on a £1.2M villa which will see the contestants compete like Gladiators to win the show’s sportiest season yet 

ITV has been constantly evolving its duty of care protocols after season two star Sophie Gradon took her own life at age 32 in June 2018 and season three contestant Mike Thalassitis was found dead at age 26 in March 2019.

Love Island host, Caroline Flack, also took her own life at age 40 in February 2020 after struggling with her mental health. 

First introduced ahead of Series 8 in 2022, the inclusion training discussions will tackle topics including inclusive language, and behaviour, creating safe spaces and being a good ally.

Prior to appearing on the show, prospective Islanders will also watch a video fronted by the show’s Executive Producer and Head of Welfare, interviewing former Islanders about their experiences on the show. 

Drama: Figures released by the the UK's media regulator Ofcom show that 2,481 viewers complained about 'alleged misogynistic behaviour by some of the male contestants' during the July 17 Movie Night episode (Dami Hope and Luca Bish pictured)

Drama: Figures released by the the UK’s media regulator Ofcom show that 2,481 viewers complained about ‘alleged misogynistic behaviour by some of the male contestants’ during the July 17 Movie Night episode (Dami Hope and Luca Bish pictured)

This includes details on the two week period before they enter the Villa, how to cope being filmed 24/7, the interaction they will have with producers in the Villa, the support provided to family members, dealing with social media trolling, and adapting to life away from the show.

In addition, in 2021 it was claimed that Love Island contestants reportedly signed a disclaimer that outlined the harsh possibilities of the show.

According to The Sun, the stars were prepared for the ‘potential downsides’ of appearing on the show, which included the possibility that ‘nobody may fancy you’ and fame after the series is not guaranteed.

The Islanders were also made aware that there could be ‘increased negative attention’ about their ‘appearance, personality and behaviour’ both on and off the show.  

Arguments: Viewers also expressed concern for Luca's treatment of his love interest Gemma Owen after Movie Night at the time the episode aired

Arguments: Viewers also expressed concern for Luca’s treatment of his love interest Gemma Owen after Movie Night at the time the episode aired  

A source said at the time: ‘It was brutal to read but at least everyone knows what to except now and there’s no surprises.

‘Potential candidates were made to consider how their five minutes of fame could quickly dry up when they leave the villa.’

They added the contract states ‘If you’re hoping that you will become famous by taking part in the show there are no guarantees that this will happen. It may not change your life in any way.’

MailOnline contacted a Love Island spokesperson for comment at the time. 

Love Island duty of care protocols in full – ahead of 2023 series

The full duty of care process is outlined below:

Pre Filming and Filming

– Registered mental health professional engaged throughout the whole series – from pre-filming to aftercare.

– Thorough pre-filming psychological and medical assessments including assessments by an independent doctor, psychological consultant and reports from each Islander’s own GP to check medical history.

– Potential Islanders are required to fully disclose in confidence any medical history that would be relevant to their inclusion in the Villa and the production’s ability to provide a suitable environment for them.

– Managing cast expectations: detailed explanations both verbally and in writing of the implications, both positive and negative, of taking part in the series are given to potential cast members throughout the casting process and reinforced within the contract so it is clear.

– Cast are told they should consider all the potential implications of taking part in the show and work through this decision-making process in consultation with their family and those closest to them, to ensure they feel it is right for them.

– Senior Team on the ground have received training in Mental Health First Aid.

– A welfare team solely dedicated to the Islanders both during the show and after.

Aftercare

– Bespoke training on dealing with social media and advice on finance and adjusting to life back home.

– A minimum of eight therapy sessions will be offered to each Islander when they return home.

– Proactive contact with Islanders for a period of 14 months after the series in which they have appeared has ended, with additional help provided where applicable.

– We encourage Islanders to secure management to represent them after the show and manage them should they choose to take part in other TV shows, advertising campaigns or other public appearance opportunities.



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