Short-form Video

Meta’s Instagram Reels is capturing a significant ad share, exceeding half of all Instagram ads in 2025. This growth, driven by AI-powered engagement, is crucial for Meta’s revenue strategy, despite short-form video’s lower monetization efficiency. Reels’ increasing user time on both Instagram and Facebook underscores its importance in a competitive landscape dominated by vertical video.

Influencers on short-form video platforms are exploiting anti-gaming sentiment by amplifying parental anxieties about video games and screen time. They position themselves as “family education experts” and sell expensive “internet addiction” programs, some costing upwards of $66,800 for seven days. Investigations reveal that these influencers often lack proper qualifications, raising concerns about the validity and ethics of their services and highlighting the exploitation of vulnerable parents.

The widespread use of smartphones is bringing previously offline populations online, yet a digital literacy gap is emerging. A recent case in China illustrates this challenge. A 68-year-old man, misunderstanding a public video, believed an online personality was addressing him personally, leading to infatuation and preparations for a meeting. Local authorities intervened, educating the man about public content versus private communication, and resolving the misunderstanding.