How do I talk to my son about his Instagram Reels addiction?

The hard part is that he's competing with something that was literally designed by engineers to grab attention, so just banning it doesn't work - the best approach is to suggest alternatives that are just as engaging, like a hobby he actually enjoys, to fill that time in a way that doesn't feel like punishment.

Have you tried simply asking your son what he thinks is happening? Because often we start a conversation already with the solution ready and we close the door.

What kids don't like is feeling judged or controlled. If you say "you're spending too much time on reels", he'll shut down and ignore you. Try instead to understand - "what is it about this that pulls you in so much?" - and let him actually answer. Sometimes it's stress, sometimes it's really the algorithm (and yes, it's programmed to be addictive, that's a fact), sometimes it's a social thing, being up to date with the kids at school. When you understand his "why", you can have a real conversation.

Then, instead of a ban, establish something together that makes sense. It's not "you get 30 minutes a day" imposed from above - it's more like "let's agree not to have phones during meals" or "you put it away before bed". And here's the important part: you have to follow through too. If you're glued to your phone while you're saying this, your son will spot the hypocrisy right away. A serious conversation needs an example to back it up.