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Should reality TV help us reflect on unconscious biases?

16th - 23rd January 2026

Back to results

58308

Total votes

11853

5-11 votes

46455

11-16+ votes

Light-hearted conversations and debate following The Traitors finale have been rife across the UK this month, including whether this year’s contestants were the most ‘faithful’ Traitors to date. Earlier in the series, when contestants had to rely more on gut instinct than evidence for each banishment, an important topic was raised about trust, fairness and representation. Namely, does our “gut instinct” reflect deeper social biases? Many viewers started to question how unconscious bias might be shaping both on-screen decisions and audience reactions. We asked young people to weigh in on the debate and consider whether reality TV is a good springboard for these conversations.

Secondary, 16+ & College voters discussed, "Should reality TV help us reflect on unconscious biases?", while Primary 9-11 voters were asked, “Is it easy to challenge stereotypes?” and Primary 5-9 voters considered, "Is it easy to work out what people are like?"

58,308 young people in the UK have taken part in this vote.

Age 5-11 voter

It isn't easy to change society as if people have been going according to stereotypes for years it would be extremely hard to change society over one year.

Age 11-16 voter

Yes because it can show when people are been singled out for being different and people not standing up for them and we judge people without realising we are doing it.

Age 11-16 voter

No, because it is not real, we can't use it to reflect on unconscious bias in the real world.

Feedback from our impact partners

Thank you to Pip Eldridge at Voice of the Listener and Viewer and Ed Kirwan, CEO of Empathy Studios & Empathy Week for responding to voters on this topic!

“TV is a powerful medium and gets us thinking, judging by the young peoples’ thoughtful answers. TV can change public opinion on a whole range of issues, motivate us to take action to improve our lives and the world around us – from issues such as climate change and plastic pollution, mental health and homelessness. News, drama, documentaries, comedies and reality TV all play a role in engaging us with a range of topics and stories which influence the way we live our lives and view the world. A national conversation about unconscious bias is a great example and we will use these results to evidence how the BBC still plays an important role in catalysing these debates."

Pip Eldridge
Voice of the Listener and Viewer

58% of those aged 9-11 said that it isn't easy to challenge stereotypes.

  • 5-9-year olds were discussing the question, "Is it easy to work out what people are like?"
  • Meanwhile, 9-11-year olds were considering, "Is it easy to challenge stereotypes?"
  • 62% of 5-9-year olds and 58% of 9-11-year olds said 'No'.
71% of 11-16-year olds said reality TV is not a good place to reflect on unconscious bias.

  • Secondary, College and 16+ students were voting on the question, "Should reality TV help us reflect on unconscious biases?"
  • Interestingly, close to 3 out of every 4 Secondary students voted 'No', while 16+ and College students had a 50/50 split.
Many said reality TV is too edited and scripted to be an accurate mirror of what happens in the real world.

  • The most common reason Secondary voters said 'No' was their scepticism of 'reality' TV. Many thought it was too edited and scripted to show us a clear representation of the unconscious bias that exists in the real world.
  • Other voters thought reality TV should just be watched as entertainment.
  • For those who voted 'Yes', many felt that reality TV gave us a clear opportunity to watch how unconscious bias can influence our "gut instinct".