TikTok made news when it surpassed 1 billion global downloads within 18 months of its launch and with the latest news of an imminent ban on the popular app, some users are looking for alternatives. Enter Instagram Reels!

What exactly is Instagram Reels?

Reels is a feature within the existing Instagram app. It allows users to record or upload videos that are anywhere from 3 to 15 seconds long. These videos are editable, sound dub or effects can be added in before sharing them onto your feed and Stories (and Explore depending on your privacy settings).

…but wait there’s more!

The Reels camera and editor also includes the following features:

Additional editing tools - Transitions, speed up or slow down videos, and even augmented reality effects
Audio attribution - Crediting your sources is always important and social media is no different. If a user uploads native audio, other Reels users can overlay your audio in their video, but the you will be credited for it!
Shareability! - Depending on the privacy setting on your profile, you have the option to share your Reels with just friends, or to the general public in the Reels area of Explore.

The only downside to Reels (for now) is that it is truly a mobile-only function. Unlike Instagram Stores and profiles, you cannot view/upload Reels via a desktop.

The Ice Bucket Challenge took the internet by storm back in the summer of 2014. The premise of the viral social media phenomenon was to challenge your friends on video to dump a bucket of ice water over their heads, to promote awareness for the motor neuron disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS for short.

Pete Frates was a driving force in the viral social media campaign. Pete, a former Boston College baseball player learned he had ALS in 2012 and recently passed after a heroic battle to the disease on Monday, December 9, 2019. His rendition of the challenge with Vanilla Ice’s song, “Ice Ice Baby” in the background sparked the campaign and helped to raise more than $100 million dollars towards fighting ALS.

The ALS Association website states:

“The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was a tremendous event in our Association’s history, raising $115 million in the summer of 2014. Not only did it bring awareness to this devastating disease, it importantly spurred a huge increase in our research budget. Since the IBC, we have committed over $96.4 million toward our mission, including over $84 million in research projects.”

The viral sensation may be a thing of the past, but the effects of the campaign and legacy of Pete Frates live on. Follow the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Progress or donate today.