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.
Arguments start with just one reel
What makes things worse is how couples use these reels. Many begin to share them with each other, either to send a hint or to show what they wish the other person would do. This might sound harmless, but in many cases, it leads to conflict.
For example, a wife might send her husband a video of a man treating his partner with over-the-top affection, hoping he takes the message. The husband, feeling judged, might reply with a reel saying “signs your wife is not loyal” or “what a woman should do in a marriage.” These exchanges slowly shift the tone of the relationship. What started as entertainment becomes a form of comparison and criticism.
This cycle has led to real-world fights. And the most affected couples are often those who are in new relationships. With time, reels can create doubts, fuel insecurities, and harm the emotional balance between partners.
Real stories from real people
To understand how this is playing out in daily life, we spoke to people who have experienced it firsthand.
Sannan Lohani, who got married less than two years ago, shared how certain videos made him question his own relationship. “I saw a reel where a wife warmly welcomed her husband home. She took his bag, removed his shoes, and showed so much love. It looked so perfect. It made me wish my wife would do the same,” he said. While it did not lead to a fight, it still planted a feeling of disappointment.
Another person, Rida Ahmed, who has been married for six years and has a four-year-old daughter, said that reels caused real tension in her home. “It started with me watching and sharing videos of so-called perfect husbands,” she said. “Then my husband began sending me reels saying things like, ‘a good wife never says no’ or religious advice on how a woman should behave.”
Rida said these small actions slowly turned into big problems. “There was a time we fought so badly after one of these exchanges that our little girl, who was just over a year old then, was shivering and crying out of fear,” she said. “It was just Instagram, but it messed with our peace.”
The algorithm does not show the full story
One major issue with this kind of content is that it shows only one side of the story. These videos highlight the best parts of a relationship, often leaving out the struggles, mistakes, or fights that exist in every real-life bond. In fact, many of these influencers and content creators are acting. They put together sweet moments for views while hiding their real problems behind the scenes.
Some meme pages have started pointing this out. They joke that the people making these “perfect relationship” reels probably have plenty of problems in their own homes but would never post about them. Their goal is to attract followers, not to give advice that reflects real life.
Thankfully, more influencers and mental health experts are now speaking up. They remind viewers not to take everything they see online so seriously. Life is not perfect, and no relationship is free of issues.
A call for caution and balance
Instagram reels are not the enemy. They can be fun, creative, and even inspiring. But when people start using them as a guide to measure their relationships, it becomes harmful. Everyone must remember that what appears on a reel is just a few seconds of someone else’s story, usually one that is scripted, rehearsed, or staged.
Rather than comparing your partner to someone on a screen, focus on real communication. Talk about your concerns, celebrate each other’s efforts, and set your own standards for love and respect.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying social media. But it should not be allowed to shape your feelings, your thoughts, or your bond with the people you love. The next time a reel makes you feel like something is missing in your life, take a moment to pause and reflect. You might already have more than what those videos are pretending to show.
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