How Instagram reels are quietly hurting relationships

By Shahnoor Saqib

ISLAMABAD: Social media has changed a lot over the past few years, and Instagram is leading that change. What started as a platform to share photos and connect with friends is now mostly filled with short-form video content, especially reels. While this content may seem entertaining or informative on the surface, it is quietly having a serious impact on relationships.

The change in how content is delivered is part of the issue. Before, users would come across a mix of videos and images, including topics like technology, animals, comedy, science, relationships, and more. Now, Instagram’s algorithm pushes similar content again and again based on what a user watches for even a few seconds. Over time, without realising it, people begin to see the same type of content repeatedly. This small shift is affecting how people see their partners, families, and even themselves.

The unrealistic image of perfect relationships

One of the most noticeable impacts is on romantic relationships. Instagram reels are now filled with videos that show ideal couples doing grand romantic gestures, treating each other like royalty, or showing extreme devotion. These videos often present husbands buying gifts, giving foot massages, cooking meals, or writing notes for their wives. In other cases, wives are seen welcoming their husbands at the door, removing their jackets, taking off their shoes, and showering them with love and praise.

At first glance, these videos may seem sweet. But repeated exposure to such content creates unrealistic expectations. A newlywed husband may start to wonder why his wife does not greet him the way women do in the videos. A wife may question her husband’s love if he does not treat her like the husbands shown in those reels.

Instagram is designed to keep users watching, so once someone interacts with a video like this, the app keeps showing more of the same. The result is a carefully curated feed filled with examples of “perfect relationships” that are more fantasy than reality.