By: Irtiza Khurshid
Over the past three years, social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube have seen a surge in the popularity of short video clips called Reels. These platforms’ algorithms are designed in such a way that even if you don’t follow certain pages or accounts, you will still be able to watch their posts, even after you’ve caught up with the accounts you do follow. This trend was sparked when TikTok was banned in several countries around the world, prompting other social media platforms to introduce short clips in their apps.
Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, and it surely has no exception. In recent years, social media platforms have introduced a new feature called “Reels.” These are short, 15-30 second videos that are meant to be entertaining and engaging. While they can be fun to watch, they can also be a time-sink, stealing valuable hours of our day.
Why are Reels so popular?
Reels are a quick and easy way to discover new content on Social media apps. They appear on the “Explore” page, and they can also be found on the accounts of the people you follow. The algorithm used by these apps suggests Reels that it thinks you will enjoy based on your activity on the platform. This means that you’re more likely to see content that you’re interested in.
Another reason Reels are so popular is that they’re easy to make. Anyone can create a Reel by filming a short video with their phone’s camera and editing it within the app. This means that there’s a lot of content out there, and it’s constantly being updated. This can make it hard to tear yourself away from your screen.
How Reels Can Steal Your Time?
The problem with Reels is that they can quickly become a time-sink. It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re scrolling through an endless feed of videos. Before you know it, you’ve spent an hour watching Reels instead of doing something productive.
Social media apps have been designed in such a way that they will keep you engaged with the app for as long as possible. The more time you spend on the platform, the more money these apps make through advertising. This means that the app is constantly suggesting new content for you to watch, even if you’ve been on the app for hours.
So, how can you take control of your social media use and avoid getting sucked into the world of Reels?
Set a time limit: Decide how much time you want to spend on social media each day and stick to it. Use the “Screen Time” feature on your phone to track how much time you’re spending on the app and set a reminder to log off when you’ve reached your limit.
Unfollow accounts that don’t add value: If you find that you’re spending a lot of time watching Reels from accounts that don’t add value to your life, consider unfollowing them. This will reduce the amount of content that you see on your feed and make it easier to find the content that you’re interested in.
Take breaks: It’s important to take breaks from social media throughout the day. This can help you stay focused and productive. Consider setting a timer for 25 minutes and taking a 5-minute break to stretch, walk around, or do something else that’s not related to social media.
Turn off notifications: Notifications can be a major distraction. Turn them off to reduce the temptation to check your phone every time you receive a notification.
Use social media intentionally: Instead of mindlessly scrolling through your feed, use social media with intention. Follow accounts that inspire you and add value to your life. Engage with other users by leaving comments or sharing their content which is valuable.
Reels can be a fun way to discover new content, but they can also steal valuable hours from our day. By setting limits, unfollowing unproductive accounts, taking breaks, turning off notifications, and using social media intentionally, you can take control of your social media use and avoid getting sucked into the endless feed of Reels. It’s important to remember that social media should be a tool that adds value to our lives, not something that takes away from it.
Reels can be a double-edged sword. While they can be entertaining and engaging, they can also be a major distraction and time-sink. Remember, social media is a tool, and it’s up to us to use it in a way that benefits us.
The writer is a Civil Engineering Graduate, and a Columnist.irtizakhurshid5@gmail.com
