Is reality TV ‘harmful’? We asked 5 experts – including an ex-reality TV participant

Noor Gillani; Catherine Houlihan; Jane Herbert; Jessica Ford; Rebecca Trelease; Suzie Gibson

Is reality TV ‘harmful’? We asked 5 experts – including an ex-reality TV participant

Noor Gillani
, Catherine Houlihan
, Jane Herbert
, Jessica Ford
, Rebecca Trelease
, Suzie Gibson

The Conversation
Univeristy of the Sunshine Coast
University of Wollongong
The University of Adelaide
Auckland University of Technology

Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article

Abstract

Reality TV – love it or hate it, there’s no denying it’s addictive. From explosive arguments to over-the-top love triangles, it can be hard to look away. But is all this drama just for fun, or might it do more harm – to watchers and participants – than we realise?

We asked five experts, and most of them said it might, especially when it comes to promoting negative body image and leaving contestants emotionally scarred.

Original language	English
Specialist publication	The Conversation
Publication status	Published - 24 Feb 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education

Cite this

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Is reality TV ‘harmful’? We asked 5 experts – including an ex-reality TV participant

Abstract

UN SDGs

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