Latest news with #SameerMalhotra
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First Post
12-07-2025
- Health
- First Post
Dr Explains: Why reels are short but their mental health impact isn't
Reels addiction, marked by compulsive short-form video use is increasingly affecting teens and young adults. Firstpost brings out expert's views on its psychological roots, symptoms and therapies like CBT, digital detox and mindfulness. read more In the age of endless scrolling, short-form video content like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and TikTok has woven itself into the daily routine of millions, especially teenagers and young adults. While these clips may seem harmless entertainment, experts warn that compulsive consumption can lead to what is now increasingly referred to as 'reels addiction.' Characterised by shrinking attention spans, disrupted sleep, emotional volatility, and a noticeable decline in academic and social functioning, this compulsive digital overconsumption is fast emerging as a pressing mental health concern. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Firstpost talked to Dr. Sameer Malhotra, Director and Head, Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital (Saket) to understand the clinical definition of reels addiction, its psychological impact and red flags to watch out for and the therapeutic interventions that can help those struggling to break free from the scroll. What exactly is 'Reels addiction,' and how do you clinically define it? 'Reels addiction' refers to compulsive or excessive consumption of short-form video content, like Instagram reels, YouTube Shorts, or TikTok videos, often to the detriment of mental, social, academic, or occupational functioning. While it's not formally recognised as a standalone disorder in the DSM-5 or ICD-11, it can be considered under 'Problematic Internet Use' or 'Social Media Addiction.' How is short-form content like reels different from other screen-based activities in terms of psychological impact? Reels and similar content are: • Highly stimulating (fast-paced, flashy, unpredictable). • Extremely brief, often under 60 seconds, promoting constant novelty. • Algorithmically tailored to user behavior, maximising dopamine hits. Compared to watching a movie or reading online, reels offer instant gratification, making them more habit-forming and less cognitively engaging. What age groups are most vulnerable to reels or short video addiction and why? • Teens and young adults (13–25 years) are the most vulnerable. • Reasons include: • Developing brain reward systems. • Higher need for peer validation and social comparison. • Lack of impulse control due to an immature prefrontal cortex. • More time spent online and on social media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What are the mental health consequences of excessive reels consumption—especially in teens and young adults? • Increased anxiety and depression (due to comparison, FOMO). • Lower self-esteem (especially in adolescents). • Reduced emotional regulation. • Sleep disturbances, fatigue, and academic decline. • Dopamine burnout, leading to a need for constant stimulation. How does Reels addiction affect attention span, memory, and sleep patterns? • Attention span shrinks, as the brain adapts to rapid changes in content. • Working memory weakens, as information is passively consumed, not deeply processed. • Blue light exposure and overstimulation delay melatonin production, disrupting sleep cycles. • May lead to insomnia or fragmented sleep. How does Reels addiction impact real-life social interaction and productivity? Is there a link between short-form content addiction and anxiety, depression, or loneliness? Yes: • Reduced face-to-face interaction; preference for virtual validation. • Lower academic/work productivity due to constant distraction. • Social anxiety, loneliness, and Depression increase as real relationships weaken. • People often feel guilt and shame, creating a negative loop of withdrawal and compulsive use. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Are there any signs that parents, teachers, or individuals themselves should look out for? Look for: • Inability to stop watching Reels despite trying. • Neglect of responsibilities, sleep, or hygiene. • Irritability when not using the app. • Social withdrawal. • Lying about screen time. • Decline in academic or job performance. • Emotional numbness or excessive emotional reactivity. Does the 'dopamine loop' play a role in making Reels so addictive? Absolutely. The dopamine loop is central: • Each swipe gives a reward (funny/novel content). • The brain releases dopamine, reinforcing the behavior. • Over time, tolerance builds, and users need more stimulation to feel the same pleasure—just like in substance addiction. Is Reels addiction officially recognised as a disorder in any diagnostic manual, or is it categorised under broader internet addiction? It is not officially classified as a standalone disorder. However: • 'Internet Gaming Disorder' is in the DSM-5 as a condition for further study. • Reels addiction is generally categorised under Social Media Addiction or Problematic Internet Use in clinical contexts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How should someone know it's time to seek help for short-form content addiction? When: • Usage interferes with school, work, relationships, or mental health. • The person feels out of control. • There are withdrawal-like symptoms (irritability, anxiety, restlessness). • There's no joy in offline activities. • Attempts to cut down have failed repeatedly. What kind of therapies or interventions work best—CBT, digital detox, or mindfulness, for instance? • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps restructure thought patterns and reduce compulsive use. • Digital detox: Short, structured breaks help reset dopamine responses. • Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Improves awareness and emotional regulation. • Behavioral contracts, screen-time tracking apps, and habit replacement strategies are also useful. What are some practical strategies to reduce screen time without causing withdrawal or distress? • Set app timers or use focus modes. • Gradually reduces use (not cold turkey). • Replace usage time with engaging offline activities. • Turn off notifications. • No-phone zones or hours (e.g., during meals or one hour before bed). • Accountability buddy or screen time tracking with rewards. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Can Reels be used positively—say for mental health awareness or learning—or are the risks too high? Yes, Reels can have positive uses: • Mental health education, awareness campaigns, peer support. • Bite-sized learning videos, fitness routines, or motivational content. The key is intention and moderation. When content is mindfully curated and consumed, it can be enriching not harmful. How can parents and educators balance regulation and freedom when it comes to kids using social media? • Open conversations instead of punishment. • Set collaborative screen-time rules. • Encourage critical thinking about media. • Monitor apps, but avoid surveillance that destroys trust. • Promote tech-free hobbies and offline bonding. • Model healthy screen habits themselves. Also encourage healthy activity schedules including physical sports, exercises, constructive hobbies and healthy sleep-wake schedules
Business Wire
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
TrueFort Recognized as a Leader in Microsegmentation at the 2025 Global InfoSec Awards
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TrueFort, the lateral movement protection company, today announced it has been named a Trailblazer for Microsegmentation in the 2025 Global InfoSec Awards by Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM), unveiled today at the RSAC Conference. TrueFort is redefining microsegmentation for the modern enterprise, delivering next-generation cybersecurity that addresses today's most sophisticated threats, including compromised credentials, ransomware, supply chain attacks, and insider threats. Lateral movement continues to be a leading technique for successful cyber attacks. By combining deep application intelligence with behavioral analytics and automated policy enforcement, TrueFort helps enterprises mitigate business risk by stopping attacks. 'We're honored to be recognized once again as a leader in microsegmentation by Cyber Defense Magazine,' said Sameer Malhotra, CEO of TrueFort. 'Lateral movement continues to be a leading technique for successful cyber attacks. By combining deep application intelligence with behavioral analytics and automated policy enforcement, TrueFort helps enterprises mitigate business risk by stopping attacks before they spread—ensuring critical workloads remain secure and operations resilient across even the most complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments.' 'TrueFort embodies three major features we judges look for to become winners: understanding tomorrow's threats today, providing a cost-effective solution, and innovating in unexpected ways that help mitigate cyber risk and stay a step ahead of the next breach,' said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine. The TrueFort Platform enforces Zero Trust security across complex environments—spanning bare metal servers, virtual machines, containers, Kubernetes, and cloud-native architectures. The platform provides security teams with unparalleled visibility into application behavior and communication flows. Built to address the dynamic nature of hybrid and multi-cloud environments, TrueFort blocks unauthorized lateral movement and enforces automated policies without disrupting operations. Its open ecosystem integrates seamlessly with leading endpoint and security tools such as CrowdStrike and SentinelOne, while supporting its own proprietary agent for fine-grained policy enforcement. A trusted partner to some of the world's most security-focused Fortune 500 companies, TrueFort delivers application-centric Zero Trust protection that scales across the most complex IT environments—from containers and Kubernetes to legacy systems and cloud-native architectures. The judges, certified security professionals (CISSP, FMDHS, CEH), evaluated submissions based on an independent review of materials such as data sheets, white papers, and product literature. CDM prioritizes innovation over market size, always asking 'What's Next?' in search of next-generation InfoSec solutions. About TrueFort TrueFort puts you in control of lateral movement across the data center and cloud. The TrueFort Cloud extends protection beyond network activity by shutting down the abuse of service accounts. Founded by former IT executives from Bank of America and Goldman Sachs, leading global enterprises trust TrueFort to deliver unmatched application environment discovery and microsegmentation for both identity and activity. For more information, visit and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
