Is scrolling reels good or ...
If you clicked on this article, chances are you already know that scrolling reels isn't good for you. Yet, like millions of others, you still end up doing it unintentionally.
Let's understand this with two characters: X and Y.
Whenever X wants to scroll reels, Y says,
"You are very daring."
Confused, X asks,
"Why are you calling me daring?"
Y replies,
"Because you already know that scrolling reels is bad for you, but you still can't escape from it."
So, who are X and Y?
X is your mind.
Y is yourself.
If you remember simple math, X → Y or Y → X means "belongs to." The real question is: Does your mind belong to you, or do you belong to your mind?
Whether scrolling reels is good or bad totally depends on how you use them. Watching them for entertainment for a short time is perfectly fine. However, endless scrolling creates a loop that is easy to get trapped in, wasting valuable time and gradually reducing your attention span. When used without limits, what starts as entertainment can quickly turn into a habit that affects focus, productivity, and overall well-being.
If your goal is to gain knowledge or stay informed about what's happening in the world, reading a newspaper can often be a better choice than spending hours scrolling through short videos. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and others use engagement-driven algorithms designed to maximize the time users spend on their platforms. While these algorithms keep content entertaining and personalized, they can also make it easy to lose track of time. As a result, endless scrolling can reduce your ability to concentrate on meaningful tasks. In today's digital world, this declining attention span has become one of the biggest challenges created by modern technology.
Another challenge is the rapid growth of AI. In some sectors, such as web development, AI has started automating tasks that were traditionally done by developers, creating new challenges for computer engineers. This has also led to a growing fear that people will become irrelevant because of AI. However, this fear is largely a myth. AI is changing the way people work rather than replacing everyone, and those who learn to use AI effectively are more likely to benefit from these changes.
However, technology also has a positive side. It makes everyday life easier through innovation and automation, saving time and reducing effort in many daily tasks. It improves accessibility, connects people across the world, and brings greater convenience and comfort. When used wisely, every new technological advancement has the potential to improve human life and create new opportunities.
The most important lesson we should learn from recent years is to use technology responsibly. With the rise of online scams and fraud, everyone should be careful about the information they share on the internet.
Whether you're using an AI tool, an app, or any online platform, never share your private or sensitive information carelessly, as it can be misused by scammers or fraudsters. At the same time, AI should be used as a tool to support your thinking, not as something you become completely dependent on. It's equally important to create, think, and learn for yourself rather than only consuming content. Unfortunately, many people become cautious only after experiencing a scam themselves or seeing someone close to them become a victim. Learning from others' experiences instead of waiting for personal failure can help prevent unnecessary losses. Technology itself is neither good nor bad—it simply reflects how we choose to use it.
The question isn't whether technology has two faces.
The real question is: Which face are you choosing every day?
Note: This article is based on insights and opinions shared by multiple participants in a PublicPodcast Q&A session. It reflects a collection of community perspectives rather than the viewpoint of a single person.