Feeling lightheaded, I finally put my phone down after I noticed I had been holding it for more than an hour, trying to figure out what exactly I was scrolling through. I could only recall quickly scrolling through dozens of reels, but without any real or tangible advantage.
Widespread of Reels
In a fast-paced world, people are eager to accomplish everything quickly, even when it comes to entertainment. With the rise of reels (short videos), long-form videos no longer capture the attention of younger generations, especially Gen Z and subsequent generations. TikTok, for example, has dominated this attention span, followed by other platforms such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
This is not just a passing trend; it is strong evidence of changing individual behaviors and content consumption habits. Reels have become a primary means of passing time—or perhaps wasting it—without any genuine focus on a specific piece of content.
This rapid spread can be attributed to two main reasons. The first is the ubiquity of these reels across nearly all social media platforms. For instance, YouTube videos were traditionally quite long, the platform introduced the "Shorts" feature several months ago to compete with TikTok. The second reason lies in the concentrated nature and appeal of the content itself. A reel can be a pivotal snippet cut from a longer video, allowing the viewer to grasp the key points in the shortest possible time without delving into extra details.
What happens when watching reels continuously
As we scroll through reels, the brain releases a small surge of dopamine, the chemical responsible for feelings of pleasure. The problem with this repeated dopamine release is that it traps the individual in a closed loop: watching, feeling pleasure, and then craving more dopamine. The more a person watches these reels, the greater the brain's need for rapid content to keep this vicious cycle going.
The continuous transition from one reel to another reduces the brain's ability to focus for extended periods, making it difficult to sustain attention during a long conversation, homework assignment, reading a book, or even watching relatively longer videos. Over time, the human capacity to persist in activities that do not immediately help with dopamine release—such as reading, studying, or deep thinking—begins to decline. These activities require time and mental effort, but do not result in dopamine rush, which ultimately decreases general motivation and productivity.
Reels and Behaviour
Scientists no longer view the daily consumption of countless reels as merely normal behavior. Studies on this topic are now widespread and the findings confirm the potential for a "behavioral addiction" to these types of videos.
For example, a research published in the journal NeuroImage revealed that individuals addicted to short-form video platforms might be less sensitive to financial losses and more prone to making impulsive decisions, noting parallels between reels addiction and other addictive behaviors.
Researchers warns that the endless scrolling feature and the customized content offered by these platforms alter how the brain functions. This is achieved by reinforcing the pursuit of instant gratification, and encouraging repeated use, which ultimately leads to a weakened ability to assess risks and make rational decisions.
Conclusion
Reels are not just for entertainment; they are reflection of deep shifts in our daily life and behavior. While media platforms offer rapid, entertaining content that perfectly fits the pace of the modern era, they can weaken our ability to concentrate and make decisions over time. The solution is to consciously manage their use by limiting screen time, and balancing them with activities that promote sustained attention, such as reading and exercise. Technology is merely a tool in human hands. If we fail to use it properly, it can be an obstacle to our greatest assets: the ability to focus and to be creative.
References
forbes.com
ndtv.com
morganvirtualpsychiatry.com
onstarplus.com