The toxification of real love… on Love Island

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In the 90s, Mary J. Blige took the world by storm when she shouted, “Real love! I’m searching for a real love,” through radio speakers. It’s a catchy tune authentically woven over a beat to make your soul move (Mary J. Blige, “Real Love” lyrics). The song peaked at #7 on the Billboard Charts and became a forever repeatable classic. With all the puns laced into the voiceovers on Love Island, it’s shocking that I never hear the narrator take a shot at singing the hook.

Reality TV Hooks

Speaking of hooks, I don’t watch “reality shows” because they’re fake carefully crafted content designed to be habit-forming. Yes, reality show producers hear your conversations and adjust their work to keep you coming back. So, it’s no surprise that the people who are popular for social commentary have more screen time on Love Island USA Season 7. And, it’s no surprise when I watch more episodes than I want because of the hooks.

Questions and Concerns

From making sure Huda doesn’t tell Jeremiah she is a mom until he is ready to lock in with her, to trying to figure out why people are swapping spit with five different people in less than five minutes, I have many questions. As I realize I don’t need the answers I tune out (or as Jeremiah gets berated and verbally attacked by Huda I tune out). I’ve watched way more than enough. The couples with the most social media attention drive the show, and their antics, as toxic as they may be, drive me to sadness.

The Impact on Youth

My niece watches the show, and these examples of relationships are what she’s banking on and talking about in group chats with her friends. These relationships being shown on streaming services are the examples that are being popularized for her. It’s the toxification of relationships on a detrimental level.

Love Island Spoiler Alert

The level of manipulation, betrayal, and daylight “Diddy partying” that’s truly taking form on the show is reckless. The tweens and teenage girls and boys with access to this content are surely a sign that the internet’s control over human nature is dangerous. Spoiler alert: Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales win Love Island Season 7 (definitely a sign of popularity influence). While their journey is not as toxic as most and their teamwork in the Villa gave viewers a reason to potentially root for them, it’s hard to say if their behavior is worthy of mimicking. They definitely display toxicity in personality. (UPDATE: THEY BREAK UP).

Ultimately, the responsibility falls on us viewers, to critically evaluate the content we consume and discuss its implications, especially with younger audiences. I hope my niece finds better types of entertainment. In this world where households no longer have one tv controlled by family values, I hope her phone doesn’t lead her closer to toxic love, but instead to a love worth it’s weight in soul.

What do you think? Did you watch any of the episodes on Love Island Season 7? Do you think it’s target audience is tweens and teens? I’d love to hear your thoughts and hope you will check out some of my other thoughts…