“Keep Scrolling"

February 17, 2026

​​Black holes of scrolling on the internet take multiple forms. Some are hard to find and recognize. On Instagram, they make it simple with the name: “Reels.” But let me be clear, contrary to what they say: we’re not the ones doing the “Reeling”, they are. And what a racket they have on the other line. 

So, I cave every now and then. What’s the big idea? Sometimes you catch yourself a beaut’. I’ve watched a ton of football highlights that otherwise wouldn’t have crossed my eye. Once in a blue moon something interesting appears, though the majority of the fish in this river are sturgeon, half-eaten by a grizzly laying face up in the water. I’d advise, if you can fight the temptation, to find another river up the valley to drink in. Maybe one that’s printed in ink or sounding like Frank Sinatra. 

But, I digress. An influencer caught my eye a while ago, a very pretty mother in her early thirties that from what I could tell, gained a following from her appearance on a popular TV show. Her account is mostly “comedy” reels featuring her friends or her kid daughter. Yes, more on that later. Now, I don’t want to come off as a prude on comedy, which I may be, but who isn’t to their own liking? They are short skits in observational scenarios, and occasionally hit. She does a fine job of playing herself, as Seinfeld did. Some are even quite funny, while others are short videos synced to pop music. And did I mention she’s pretty? Really though, how in-depth can you be in under a minute? It’s no Barney Miller. 

You can tell what caught my eye. The whole daughter-on-film thing. Sure it’s cute, and the daughter does a fine job of acting. For someone still having most of their baby teeth, that is. Listen, it’s good content, I’m not saying otherwise. It might even make the daughter a few bucks later down the line for a new car or college fund. Though when she’s grown and ruminates back on these times, will it be days of wine and roses or something discussed while looking up at a ceiling.

The internet used to be private. It is simply not anymore. First came your name and email address, then the phone number. Jump only a few years to your photographs, interests, and workplaces all on one convenient public website. Yes, you consent to these. Though can a child? Sure, she can check the boxes and agree to the infamous terms and conditions, but agreeing to an uploaded video, featuring her before a regular viewing audience of millions? Well, there’s no legal debate for that here in the Old Republic, but communication between people does exist for a reason. When one is mother, and one is daughter, there is however a strict chain of command. Orders go down, not up. One doesn't post on the internet for a minute. It’s on for however long they keep the cord plugged in. 

This reminds me of the Jennette McCurdy story. A child star on the once number one rated teen show in America recounts it wasn’t all ritz and glamour. She felt betrayed by her mother for forcing her into the acting trade, later even acknowledging that she did enjoy some of it, but had no idea of the life she missed out on until adulthood. McCurdy certainly wasn’t the only one singing this tune, look at Judy Garland. Shouldn’t man, if given the opportunity, have a say at what he does with his life? 

“Only for good and fun at the end of the day,” said the beauty pageant mom, basking in the corner of stage light before her daughter’s makeup and shiny new trophy. This all sounds to me like a cautionary tale.