By categorising Big Brother as a reality television programme while creating a fake environment could lead to a controversy. The false surroundings, as a result of unrealistic availability of free-flow of alcohol to the young contestants, communal beds and group showers, do not reflect the daily lives of young viewers. This should immediately classify Big Brother as a virtual reality show rather than reality. Also, the fake environment creates many temptations for the contestants as well as the viewers, which should be avoided.
Australian Catholic Students Association (ACSA) President Daniel Hill agrees that Big Brother is “not healthy and gives a perverted image of relationships between young people”. Therefore, there is a need to rethink how much human relations are valued and how it is portrayed in the media.
The incident where there was an alleged sexual assault from two male contestants on a female contestant has created a heightened awareness on the immorality that the show portrays to society. This causes harm to the young viewers who might be watching the television programme, as the contestants are not depicted as good role models. Also, the young viewers might assume such behaviour as normal and acceptable behaviour in society.
The father of one of the male contestant, who allegedly sexually assaulted his fellow housemate, commented that his son was a “virtual prisoner” in Big Brother. He claims that his son would not be involved in any form of misconduct and that his son’s words and actions were being manipulated by Big Brother.