In the current era of short videos, colloquially referred to as ‘reels’ on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, have become an integral part of children's daily media diet. Although these short clips amuse and, on occasion, offer educational content, new research states that they could be highly detrimental to children's cognitive and emotional development.
The Enchantment of Reels: Instant Gratification and Dopamine Hits
“Human focus span has reduced remarkably, and so reels are designed to capture the attention instantaneously, showing them rapid pokes of data, which engrosses them with the screen. This aspect manipulates the brain's reward system and forces the brain to release dopamine, a drive and attachment-related neurotransmitter,” shares Preeti Bhandary, Co-Founder and Director, Little Elly.
“Repeated exposure to reel and short videos can lead to a desire for continuous stimulation, resulting in a lack of focus that children may struggle to apply to activities like reading or homework,” she adds.
Cognitive Impacts: Shortened Attention Spans and Executive Function
Excessive viewing of short-form videos has been shown to negatively impact children's attention span and executive functions. Children can have difficulty with tasks that demand attention, planning, and impulse control. "TikTok Brain" refers to this as children find it challenging to focus on activities that do not have immediate rewards.
Also Read: #AskTheExpert: Are Instagram Reels and Memes Affecting Your Mental Health?
Sleep Disruptions and Emotional Well-being
Their highly addictive nature creates a risk for excessive screen exposure, usually taking the place of sleep. Inadequate quality of sleep in children is associated with other problems, including mood swings, poor grades, and immunocompromised states. In addition, at other times, it is the substance of the reels that creates a sense of fear or social competition, impacting children's emotional and self-concept development.
Physical Health Issues: Sight and Posture
Overuse of the screen, especially on handheld devices, can lead to eye strain or digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome. Its symptoms can include dry eyes, blurred eyes, and headaches. Furthermore, there can be a cause of musculoskeletal disorders in the future due to the wrong posture in gripping the device.
Also Read: Dealing With Musculoskeletal Disorders? Expert Lists 10 Foods You Must Avoid
Parental Guidance: Reducing the Risks
It's unrealistic to keep reels out of a child's life, but parents can take steps in advance to minimize potential evils:
- Set Boundaries: Set strict rules for screen time, especially during bedtime.
- Develop Diverse Activities: Induce activities that are non-screen-related, such as sports, reading, or arts and crafts.
- Co-Watch Media: Watch reels with your children to observe what they view and discuss the content.
- Teach Media Literacy: Educate children to thoughtfully examine what they view and understand the difference between online appearances and actual reality.
- Utilize Parental Controls: Leverage apps and device settings to monitor and restrain screen time with responsibility.
Final Word
Reels and short videos are one of the most major features of modern life, and they deliver information as well as entertainment. Parents have to be cognizant, however, of the potential risk of excessive use. By being actively involved in monitoring child media and being highly informed, parents can ensure a healthy and balanced digital life.