TikTok videos and Instagram Reels may seem similar, both consisting of funny or informational content meant for entertainment. However, the content found on both apps is a key differentiating factor.

Instagram Reels create an environment meant for millennials, while TikTok videos cater to the younger generations. Younger users feel more inclined to scroll on TikTok for hours and hours rather than on Instagram, where they spend only a few scrolls if they feel like it. Some Reels do contain the humor that’s originally found on TikTok, and some TikTok videos do have millennial users but overall, TikTok is the source of the younger generations’ humor and their brain rot. 

Due to the repetitive online content on TikTok, many users have developed brain rot. Things like mewing, “raise your ya ya ya,” hyperpigmentation, “hawk tuah” and “mama a girl behind you” are things associated with the TiktTok brain rot.

Instagram Reels are videos with pieces of text that are meant to be humorous and relatable, but sometimes they can be so out of pocket. At times, the content of some Reels comes off the wrong way, and watchers can be taken aback, as shown through the comments section. The comments sections of out-of-pocket reels can be entertainment in itself, as users freely voice their opinions with nothing holding them back. 

“I like scrolling on TikTok more because I feel like I’ve built my For You Page over the years so that everything it shows me is something I like, while Reels show me random videos,” one TuHS junior said. “Also, TikTok has the repost button, and I can like things without people knowing I liked it.”