Love Island's back....and so are trolls

AS LOVE Island returns tomorrow night for a winter series, a top psychologist fears the reality TV show may spark another “abundance” of online trolling, despite “positive” changes by ITV.

- David Stephenson

Women’s charities have also appealed to the channel to think about the duty of care they have to their viewers.

Last year’s controversial summer series generated more than 7,000 complaints to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, making it the year’s most complained about show.

Around 2,500 were related to misogyny from male contestants, while 1,500 were about bullying.

Trolling contestants online was rife, too, with many of the islanders experiencing shocking abuse.

Ex-contestant Coco Lodge, 27, said she faced “brutal” comments after being dumped from the villa. ITV has now banned the use of islanders’ social media accounts while the show is taking place.

Psychologist Dr Rachael Molitor, from Coventry University, said: “Positive steps have clearly been made by ITV to support the contestants within the newest series of Love Island.

“What’s interesting is pausing social media accounts while they are in the villa. Problems may still arise with viewers still discussing contestants while in the villa.

“And once voted out they may be inundated with messages to deal with in abundance.