It’s hard not to love “Love Island.” Whether you’re genuinely rooting for a couple or are simply obsessed with the drama of forced proximity driving people together — and apart — it’s easy to get sucked into it. But there may be more to the show than meets the eye.
One of the reasons “Love Island” hits so hard is because it seems to reflect our current, social media-driven culture perfectly. But does it merely embody what’s already there, or is it driving real-world relationships to work more like the show? Is that good or bad? Let’s take a closer look at “Love Island” and what it means about actual dating in the digital age.
Love Island Says Do It All for the Gram
All reality dating shows are survival shows to some extent, but “Love Island” takes this idea to extremes by putting islanders’ relationships directly in fans’ hands. A whopping 3.5 million people voted on their favorite couples after one episode of “Love Island” U.S.A. Season 7. One million voted in the first hour.
As convincing as some “Love Island” relationships may seem, this feature adds an undeniable air of competition. Finding a partner aside, there’s a cash prize at stake. The only way to get it is to make an impression on fans to secure votes. It makes you wonder if people are coupling up because they love each other or because they think the masses will like them together.
What if real-life couples were at the mercy of those watching them? In a way, they are. Social media acts as a sort of reward system. Likes, views and messages reward you with dopamine in the same way “Love Island” fans award their preferred islanders with a vote to keep them on the show.
This is not as extreme when there’s no money to win, but it raises questions about how digital interactions impact in-person interactions. Studies show that increased Instagram usage leads to lower relationship satisfaction and more fights and breakups. Posting everything about your relationship online may be fun and rewarding, but it also takes away valuable face-to-face time. When everything is online, lines blur, in-person connections may feel disingenuous, and it becomes harder to maintain close relationships.
Islanders Move Fast, and So Do We
The couples on “Love Island” move quickly. Couples form, deepen and fall apart at breakneck speed. People say “I love you” after only knowing each other for a few weeks. Part of that is because it’s a show with a schedule to keep, but it also reflects how the digital age makes us expect everything to move fast.
Social media is all about instant feedback. Platforms like Snapchat have features to encourage daily usage, and trends change instantly. People become viral sensations overnight, and you can order something from TikTok and have it on your doorstep not long after seeing it in a video.
The more we’ve become used to the internet’s speed, the more we expect it everywhere else. “Love Island” is both an example and a driver of that trend. In one way, how quickly the islanders’ relationships start, change and end reflects social media’s pace. In another, it encourages viewers — intentionally or not — to expect the same in their lives.
Research shows that the more people see something, the more they believe it’s true, which gives TV shows the power to normalize particular behavior. When you watch hours upon hours of couples diving headfirst into intense relationships with someone they just met, it’s easier to believe that’s how things work in the real world. You may notice a drive for faster progress in your own dating life or those around you as a result.
What Does It All Mean for Relationships in the Real World?
Shows like “Love Island” aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Streaming costs an average of $61 per month, compared to $144 for cable, and that accessibility means more exposure to this programming. With such a far reach, what we see on “Love Island” will undoubtedly affect our real-world relationships.
Even if you know that reality TV isn’t exactly real, it’s hard not to adopt some behaviors from it subconsciously. That could mean an even more exaggerated expectation for fast-moving relationships. It may also mean negative perceptions about how others or you should look. When was the last time you saw someone on “Love Island” who actually looked like someone you’d meet in your everyday life?
Experts have already pointed out how shows like “Love Island” have led people to believe unhealthy relationship dynamics are normal and to emphasize physical attraction over other, stronger factors. At the same time, these shows may also encourage people to be more vulnerable since they highlight tough conversations between couples.
Dating Shows Are a Good Time But a Risky Precedent
So, what does it all mean in the long run? “Love Island” and other dating shows are fun and have some positive effects, but they can also be dangerous. It’s important to recognize these risks before you start to reflect what you see on TV.
Social media and reality TV aren’t the end of good relationships, but they do make them more complicated. Understanding these effects is the first step toward counteracting them in your own life.
