There has been a surge in short videos, or reels, on social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Despite age or social status differences, men and women everywhere are addicted to viewing reels in their free time. To kill time and alleviate social loneliness, reel viewing has become a favorite pastime for many.
With the proliferation of digital life and social media use, content consumption has become a new social norm. Many influencers build careers or fortunes by attracting large followings who consume their content daily. Many social media influencers and YouTubers have emerged, leading to a shift in social mindset.
The internet makes it easy to access any sporting event, political event, and movie/entertainment news. You can easily find celebrity gossip and funny videos. There are also videos of everyday people’s daily lives. Instead of showing the content over a more extended period, it spreads effortlessly within a few seconds. With a shorter duration, people find it beneficial to consume their content in busy lives.
Apart from the reels’ benefits, a serious drawback raises several questions for critics. Short reels lack mechanisms for fact-checking. People are using reels to spearhead their political campaigns. They also use them to promote hatred, religious points of view, and scams. Products can even be advertised without undergoing any checks. These reels play a significant role in shaping the political narrative during elections.
While making these reels, content creators create havoc in the vicinity where they shoot. The creators’ activities often disorient the general public. This happens when making a dance reel, any social experiment, or prank reel. Many influencers use vulgar language, provocative poses, or elaborate content to attract audiences and make more money. Teenagers and young adults are checking this content like an addiction. This addiction results in a criminal mindset, toxic behavior, and sexual offenses. It also leads to eve-teasing. Many unemployed people are becoming lethargic and unproductive due to constant scrolling through reels.
Elders or parents should check the reels scrolling for teenagers. What content is advisable is a matter of personal choice and morals. There is no framework for controlling content quality. It depends solely on the content creators’ good nature and ethics. They must produce content that everyone in the family can consume. The trending reels contain a mix of good and obnoxious content; one should choose wisely when consuming them.
The Witty Stride 