Short video consumption leads to addiction and mental health issues, study says

A new study reveals the negative effects of short video consumption on mental and emotional health, leading to disrupted sleep, shortened attention spans, and emotional instability, Kazinform News Agency reports.

Researchers from Tianjin Normal University examined how the rapid switching between video clips affects the brain’s ability to focus and its long-term cognitive functions.

111 people, ages 17 to 30, who frequently used platforms for short videos, participated in the study. Participants viewed an average of 95 minutes of brief movies every day over two months, while high-resolution MRI scans tracked their brain activity.

The results showed that the brain's functional and structural changes were closely associated with addictive behaviors. The orbitofrontal cortex and cerebellum, two regions of the brain responsible for decision-making and emotional control, showed more gray matter in participants with more severe addiction.

Furthermore, researchers observed increased brain activity in areas linked to attention and self-comparison, such as the posterior cingulate cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, suggesting a lack of cognitive control and a rise in self-referential thinking. Researchers also identified over 500 genes associated with addiction and neural changes.

Behavioral consequences included shorter attention spans (from 2.5 minutes to 47 seconds) and poorer sleep quality. Half of the participants struggled with insomnia, developed anxiety or depression. The study also found that envy is a major factor causing short-video addiction since users usually search for approval or escape from negative self-perceptions.

Despite the fact that the study found a complex link between short videos and brain function, it is still unclear whether the observed changes in the brain are the cause or the effect of addiction. Yet, researchers advise users to engage with these platforms with caution to avoid any negative effects.

Previously, Kazinform reported that Australia will enforce the world's strictest ban on children accessing platforms like TikTok and Instagram by the end of next year.