Acute changes in postural stability during Instagram Reels viewing using virtual reality-based posturography

Short-form video platforms such as Instagram Reels deliver continuous high-visual-flow stimulation that imposes substantial visual-cognitive load even in the absence of active motor interaction, yet their impact on postural control remains largely unexplored. This study examined whether passive Instagram Reels viewing acutely alters postural stability in healthy adolescents and young adults, and whether addiction severity and habitual use patterns modulate this effect. Regular Instagram users aged 16-21 years completed virtual reality-based static posturography before and during passive Instagram Reels viewing (i.e., viewing short-form, algorithm-driven video content without active user interaction such as scrolling or screen contact). Instagram addiction severity and usage habits were assessed, and their associations with viewing-related postural changes were evaluated. Vestibular-related postural stability decreased during Reels viewing. Higher Instagram addiction severity and longer daily Instagram use were associated with smaller reductions in vestibular-related postural stability between pre- and during-viewing conditions, a pattern compatible with partial habituation and/or compensatory postural control strategies. The purpose of Instagram use was not meaningfully associated with the magnitude of change. Passive short-video exposure can acutely compromise vestibular-related postural stability even during quiet standing, while habitual exposure appears to attenuate the immediate destabilizing effect. These findings extend smartphone-balance research toward a more ecologically relevant exposure model and provide a reference framework for future studies in clinically vulnerable populations, future studies in clinically vulnerable populations, such as individuals with vestibular disorders, neurological conditions, or balance impairments.