Social media has evolved far beyond a space for sharing photos and staying connected. Today, short-form videos and Reels dominate online platforms, capturing users' attention with quick, engaging content. Children and teenagers are increasingly drawn to these videos, and many parents now rely on phones and tablets to keep young children occupied during daily activities. However, new research suggests that excessive consumption of such content may have consequences for attention, impulse control, and mental well-being.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Bayreuth in Germany found that spending long periods watching short-form videos may contribute to higher levels of stress and attention-related difficulties among teenagers and young adults. Published in the European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry journal, the study examined the potential effects of this growing digital habit on young people’s cognitive and emotional health.
To investigate the issue, researchers reviewed data from 42 studies conducted between 2015 and 2025, covering nearly 47,000 participants with an average age of 16.8 years. The analysis included digital media usage in homes, schools, and youth social settings. The findings showed that platforms featuring short videos are specifically designed to keep users engaged through rapidly changing content, endless scrolling, and highly personalised recommendation systems.
According to the researchers, these features encourage prolonged viewing by constantly presenting new stimuli. The rapid pace of content may affect memory formation, while personalised feeds strengthen users’ emotional attachment to the platform. Infinite scrolling further increases screen time by eliminating natural stopping points between videos.
The study also incorporated neurological assessments, including EEG and MRI scans, to better understand how excessive short-video consumption influences brain activity. After accounting for variables such as age, gender, education, country, and cultural background, researchers found that heavy use—defined as four or more hours per day—was associated with mild to moderate increases in inattention and impulsivity, weaker working memory, and higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. It was also linked to greater signs of addictive behaviour.
Researchers distinguished heavy use from “unregulated use,” which refers to unscheduled viewing that disrupts sleep patterns and daily routines. Both forms of excessive engagement were found to negatively affect mental and behavioural health.
To minimise these risks, the study recommends establishing structured schedules for digital media use and creating supportive environments that encourage healthier screen habits. Researchers believe that setting boundaries around short-form video consumption can help protect adolescents’ cognitive development and overall well-being while promoting a more balanced relationship with technology.
