Tag: Reel Culture

‘Reels Make Learning Fun But It Can Be Addictive And Affect Social Skills’

By Lokmarg

Uttera Singh Raghuvanshi, a digital marketer from Lucknow, says ‘reels’ addiction is making it difficult for our brain to focus and also shrinking our attention span. Her views:

If we go back to memory lane, there was a time when everyone in the family was stacked in front of the TV set at a specific time to watch their favourite shows. But with quick passage of time and advancement of science and technology, today everyone has their personal gadget in hand, i.e. a smartphone, and they are hooked to it, oblivious with their surroundings. The days of watching hour-long shows are gone; we now keep scrolling the screen through short forms of videos called ‘reel’.

This reel culture – those short, quick videos that are available on social apps like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube – has completely changed how we use our free time. This phenomenon is no longer just for the young; it’s an immersive form of entertainment that has hooked people across generations. However, this acts as a double-edged knife: while it can provide entertainment or stress relief, it can affect our brains and our daily lives.

One good thing about reels is their efficiency in providing valuable information in quick time. Be a cooking recipe, a quick life hack, or a funny joke, reels make it fun to learn. You get it instantly, usually in under a minute, which feels perfect for our busy and modern lives. It’s a convenient source of distraction and quick laughter. These platforms also offer space for talent. Anyone can become a content creator, showcase one’s skill, or simply express themselves. This has led to vibrant communities where people can find others who share their exact interests, making the world feel a little smaller and more connected around niche hobbies.

ALSO READ: ‘Reelmakers Compromise With Safety And Scruples’

However, there is a flip side to it as well. These short videos train your brain to expect a constant stream of quick, exciting jolts of stimulation. The content is specifically designed to be unpredictable and rewarding, triggering bursts of the ‘feel-good’ chemical dopamine with every scroll of thumb.

The reel culture also creates a harmful comparison trap. What we see online is a highly edited “highlight reel”—people showing off only their absolute best moments, like perfect trips and flawless lives. When we constantly compare our normal, mundane, everyday reality to these impossible standards, it may lead to low self-esteem and anxiety

On a social level, the more time we spend passively consuming content on a screen, the less time we are actively engaging with people face-to-face. This can subtly damage our social skills. Additionally, the late-night scrolling habit, often encouraged by the addictive feed, directly contributes to sleep disruption and chronic fatigue.

However, we can still take back control of our social lives. The goal isn’t to quit entirely, but to ensure that we are the boss of the app, not its victim. A simple starting point is to establish clear limits by simply using our phone’s built-in settings (like Screen Time) to enforce a strict daily time limit—say, 30 minutes or so—on the tempting apps. By consciously setting boundaries, we can enjoy the good parts of reel culture without letting it steal our time, focus, and happiness.

As told to Rajat Rai

‘Are We Raising Kids In Reel Culture Where Likes Matter More Than Laughter?’

By Lokmarg

Vini Soni, a mother of two young children, reflects on parenting and the impact of social media on family life. Her views

As a mother of two — a seven-year-old brimming with curiosity and a three-year-old who copies his every move — I often wonder how childhood is changing in the age of reels. What used to be about scraped knees, bedtime stories, and silly giggles now seems increasingly about angles, retakes, and trending sounds! Childhood is being staged for strangers.

Just look at the popular reels flooding our feeds. A toddler recently went viral for staring wide-eyed at Tamannaah Bhatia’s dance to Aaj ki raat, clocking more than 1.2 million views. A young girl in Assam charmed the internet by cycling while singing Kishore Kumar’s My name is Anthony Gonsalves. Another reel showed a Russian girl in Bengaluru singing a Kannada poem with her Indian friend — a sweet cultural snapshot that spread quickly. These examples feel harmless, even heart-warming.

But then there are the worrying ones: children in Uttar Pradesh filmed a 15-foot python being carried for three kilometers — an act that grabbed eyeballs but raised obvious questions about safety. A father-daughter duo recreating a Bollywood scene may look cute, but behind-the-scenes, how many retakes, prompts, and pressures are children put through just to nail a reel?

ALSO READ: Reel Culture Has Spread Like A Deadly Virus

A reel lasts 15 seconds; its impact on a child’s sense of self can last far longer. And the influence doesn’t stop at the screen. Recently, my elder son came home asking, “What is a trending reel? Why don’t I do one like my friends?” He doesn’t even have a social media account, yet the culture around him already tells him what’s “cool.” That was a wake-up call for me: Are we raising children to play, explore, and imagine — or to perform for an invisible audience?

The risks are twofold: Physical, when kids are coaxed into unsafe stunts or challenges and; Emotional, when they start measuring fun or self-worth through likes, shares, and comments.

So, what can we do differently? First, pause before hitting record. Ask: Is this safe, respectful, and in my child’s best interest? Second, seek consent — even from young children. If my son says “no” to sharing, I respect it. Third, remember: reels fade in days, but the lessons we model — about dignity, privacy, and confidence — last a lifetime.

I’m not against capturing memories. I treasure my children’s goofy dances and sibling hugs. But not every moment needs to be broadcast. Some moments are more special when they remain ours alone.

Three questions that parents should ask before posting a reel: 1) Is it safe or am I exposing my child to physical risks or unsafe stunts just for views? 2) Is it respectful and would my child feel proud — or embarrassed — to see this video when they are older? 3) Is it necessary as in do I really need to share this with the world, or is this a moment best kept within our family?

As parents, the real question is: are we nurturing confident children or performers chasing likes? Perhaps the best “trend” we can start is letting kids enjoy an unfiltered, reel-free childhood.

As told to Mamta Sharma

Reel Culture Has Spread Like A Virus

‘Reel Culture Has Spread Like A Virus, Infected Young Minds’

By LokMarg

Himanshu Kumar, a student of BR Ambedkar School of Specialized Excellence, Delhi, feels pained when he sees youth stooping lower and lower in their craze for making reels. His views

I would like to share my views about the morbid craze of making reels, or shorts, which has currently gripped the entire nation. These reels are basically short-duration video clips, showcasing any activity with just one goal – draw more and more viewers. Some reels depict dangerous stunts, others third-rate, bawdy humour or an absurd activity that can catch eyeballs. This disease has now taken the form of an epidemic – infecting every nook and corner of the country.

As far as I can recall, this craze began in 2016, when a Chinese app called Tik Tok emerged on Indian social media scene. By 2018, it became the most downloaded app in the US. By 2022, it was the most downloaded app in the entire world.

Tik Tok took over India’s ‘youth mind-set’ in 2017. Many people get attracted by the so-called ‘creative’ videos on it. But it did not take long for some highly disturbing videos to emerge on the app too. These videos could range from vulgar acts, to a degrading depiction of reality. The dark irony is that people started liking these clips!

Earlier, it was meant only for entertainment purposes. Soon, crass nudity, perverse shows, masochistic, sexist and mindless violence etc, took over the reels, attracting those who are hooked on the most perverse dimensions of life. This crude content then spread into people’s mobile phones like forest fire!

ALSO READ: ‘Reelmakers Compromise With Safety And Scruples’

Amid India-China tensions, Tik Tok was banned in the country. However, plenty of new apps arrived like Moj, Mx takatak, Josh etc to fill in the shoes. Popular social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram also hosted and encouraged these reels to increase their userbase.

There can be many reasons why certain people like these videos, especially youngsters. A curious teenager can be attracted by the ‘bold’ content created by the opposite gender. Some may get cheap thrills by stunts while others may find these acts humorous. There are instances where these videos could be downright perverse porn clips, mostly objectifying women. The creators only seem to be chasing the frivolous pleasure of ‘likes’ and ‘followers’.

Of course, there are others, talented and sensitive creators, who are making educational and informative videos. Some of these accounts are deeply committed to the idea of making the world a better place. They are also interested in the creative dimensions of our social and aesthetic reality. They often share quotes from books, clips from meaningful cinema etc. However, such content is more often gets trolled by the non-serious viewers. If this is not the first step towards the destruction of the mind, then, what is?

The point is that all this adds to an aggressive, sexist and macho mindset. Unfortunately, this can lead to anything! We often read reports how an influencer lost his or her life to this craze for making reels. It is this degeneration of mind that leads to rising criminal incidents, including rape and murders, in our society.

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As told to Amit Sengupta