According to new research from the American Psychological Association (APA), short-form video is measurably harmful to mental health.
Researchers analyzed data from 98,299 participants across 71 studies, and found that heavy use of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts is linked to poorer attention and weaker inhibitory control. The more short-form content people consumed, the worse their cognitive performance.
The APA warns that constant exposure to fast, highly stimulating videos can make slower tasks, like reading and problem-solving, feel harder. With young people now spending an average of 6.5 hours a day online, the study suggests this pattern may contribute to a real neurocognitive syndrome.
These findings support rising concerns about “brain rot,” Oxford’s 2024 Word of the Year, used to describe the “supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material considered to be trivial or unchallenging.”
While the term is often used jokingly or in a more informal setting, that doesn't mean it's not a serious problem. Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.