The introduction of “consent buttons” on Love Island Australia has sparked international attention and debate. Dubbed the “horny heart” by the show’s executive producer Alex Mavroidakis, the buttons are intended to ensure contestants explicitly consent before engaging in intimate moments. But are they a progressive step forward, or a convenient liability shield for the producers? Here’s what we know.
What are consent buttons on Love Island Australia?
Introduced in 2022, consent buttons are located next to each contestant’s bed. They must be pressed to signal mutual consent before any romantic activities occur under the covers. When both partners press their respective buttons, a love heart above their bed lights up, signalling consent to producers and, by extension, viewers.
Former contestant Georgia Murray revealed the button’s mechanics in a now-viral TikTok video: “You press them before you go to bed to consent to anything that happens during the night. If it’s glowing, then they’ve consented…”
The system replaces a previous verbal method where contestants had to whisper “I consent” into their microphones—a process Mavroidakis described to The Feed as “mortifyingly embarrassing.”
Why were consent buttons created?
According to Mavroidakis, the buttons were designed to promote proactive consent and create a safer environment for contestants. He told The Feed: “They have to both push their button to light the heart, which basically is telling us that we consent to what is happening under the covers here.”
This feature aligns with increasing societal conversations around consent, making Love Island Australia one of the first reality shows to adopt such a mechanism.
Do consent buttons go far enough?
While some have praised the feature as innovative, critics argue that it oversimplifies the concept of consent. Dr. Erin Carlisle, a sociology lecturer at the University of Wollongong, told Yahoo Lifestyle: “Consent is, and must be, enthusiastic, ongoing, unequivocal, equal, and conditional. People must be able to change their mind and withdraw their consent at any time.”
Organizations like Teach Us Consent have similarly highlighted that while the buttons are a step forward, they should complement ongoing, open communication between contestants.
Fans have also expressed concerns on social media, questioning whether the buttons adequately address the complexities of consent. One commenter on Instagram wrote: “Consent has to be ongoing. What happens if someone changes their mind after pressing the button?”
How do the buttons work in practice?
Murray described how producers actively monitor the use of consent buttons: “If you don’t press the button, producers will come into the room or go over speakers and say, ‘You either need to stop or press your consent button.’” She also recalled being interrupted once while simply chatting with her partner under the covers: “Someone literally came in with a flashlight and said, ‘Press your consent button or stop what you’re doing.’”
While such moments could be awkward, Murray said she appreciated the safety net.
Are the buttons protecting contestants or the show?
Critics have questioned whether the consent buttons are primarily about safeguarding contestants or protecting the network from liability. Dr. Carlisle raised concerns about whether other measures are in place to ensure contestants’ safety in her interview with Yahoo!Lifestyle saying: “For me, this appears foremost as an effort on the part of producers and the network to put the responsibility for safety onto the contestants themselves.”
She suggested that additional steps—such as consent training or screening contestants for violence-supportive attitudes—should be implemented during casting.
What do fans think about the consent buttons?
Opinions among fans are divided. While some view the buttons as a positive step, others feel they are insufficient. Comments on TikTok and Instagram range from praise, such as “We love consent buttons,” to scepticism: “A step in the right direction, but ideally consent should be communicated openly rather than signalled through a button.”
Are consent buttons the future of reality TV?
The consent buttons on Love Island Australia are undeniably a unique addition to the reality TV landscape. While they reflect growing awareness of consent issues, they also highlight the challenges of addressing such a nuanced topic in a high-stakes, televised environment.
Ultimately, the buttons alone are unlikely to resolve deeper concerns about contestant safety and consent dynamics. As Dr. Carlisle aptly put it to Yahoo! Lifestyle “Consent is not a one-time transaction. It must be ongoing, fluid, and free from coercion.”
