
When the Winter season of Love Island premieres next week, there will be plenty of new surprises, but one adjustment has been made to protect those involved.
When the new episodes premiere, there will be a new host in Maya Jama, as well as a fresh crop of participants who are sure to drop some bombshells.
New safeguards have also been put in place before to the commencement of the filming to ensure that any bullying or trolling on social media is kept to a minimal.
Although Love Island contestants are cut off from the outside world while filming the reality dating show, they have previously been allowed to have loved ones manage their social media profiles.
However, before of the premiere of the latest season, ITV said that the practise would be discontinued, and that it would be prohibited entirely.
What is the new Love Island social media policy?
For the first time in the show’s 18-year history, Islanders will be required to entirely suspend their social media accounts in order to safeguard themselves and their loved ones.
When justifying the move, the broadcaster stated they wanted accounts to remain ‘dormant’ and nothing should posted on people’s behalf so they could avoid ‘the ill impacts of social media’.
Islanders have previously been unable to access their accounts, but their family and friends have managed them, connecting with viewers and urging people to vote for their favourites.
However, this has resulted in several incidents when not only the candidates, but also their loved ones, have been targeted.
Tanya Manhenga, one of this season’s candidates, has already stated her support for the ban.
The biomedical degree student, 22, told the Daily Mail that while she was initially hesitant, she eventually saw the benefits of her Instagram profile being paused while she was on TV.
‘I thought, is it a good thing, is it not a good thing? But then I looked at it in a way of obviously you can’t stop trolls,’ she said.
‘If it’s going to reduce the potential amount of trolls that you’re going to get then I’m all for it.’

What other measures have been put in place?
Contestants will receive ‘advice and training’ on’mutually respectful behaviour in partnerships’ as part of ITV’s new duty of care standards for 2023.
It comes after the most current season, which aired last summer, drew thousands of complaints to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom and was even named the most complained about show of 2022 by the end of the year.
Islanders will also continue to receive ‘inclusive language’ training, which included disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, and microaggressions last season.
These discussions will once again be moderated by Leon Mann MBE, creator of the Black Collective of Media in Sport (Bcoms), and others.
Prior to entering the Villa, Islanders would have viewed a video interviewing former Islanders about their experiences on the programme, which was hosted by the show’s executive producer and head of welfare.
This contains information about the two-week time before the show premieres, how to deal with being filmed 24/7, interactions with producers in the villa, support provided to family members, coping with social media trolls, and adjusting to life outside of the programme.
Dr Paul Litchfield, one of Love Island’s duty of care team, said: ‘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.‘That culture of continuous improvement ensures that Islanders are well placed to benefit from their experience of participating in one of the UK’s most popular TV shows.’The new Islanders, who include a TV salesman, airport security officer, farmer, and financial advisor, were revealed earlier this week.
Love Island launches on Monday January 16 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.