From accidents to arguments, some things in life are hard to look away from. In the digital era, it’s not just offline life competing for our attention anymore: thousands of people work behind the scenes to ensure online platforms and devices are as engaging as possible, and impossible to shift our focus from.
It’s a time where short-form video is king, like the content found on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts – and this content has become the scroll’s bread and butter for young people today. Their fast-moving and highly stimulating format makes it easy for children to fall into a cycle, watching video after video, often without realizing how much time they’ve spent on their phone. It affects us all, but for younger people, whose brains are still developing, the toll can be significant, impacting not just attention and concentration, but mental health, too.
What makes short videos so appealing?
Short-form videos, like those found on TikTok, typically last less than a minute. They often use quick transitions, eye-catching effects, and catchy music to keep viewers hooked. Several factors help explain why they’re so engaging:
1. Dopamine release
The brain produces dopamine, a “feel-good” neurotransmitter, when we experience something pleasurable. Each short video produces its own small dose, motivating us to keep watching and generating that dopamine hit.
2. Personalized feeds
Algorithms like those on social media or video platforms like YouTube tailor content to individual preferences, offering a steady flow of instantly rewarding videos that show us exactly what we want to see – all with minimal effort involved.
3. Easy access
By simply reaching for a phone or tablet, we have access to endless content, any time, anywhere.
For teenagers – and even young kids – there’s also a strong social element. Not watching the most popular videos or knowing the latest online trend can bring on feelings of exclusion.
Do short videos have an effect on kids’ concentration?
In short, yes. These videos do more than simply entertain. Short-form videos shape how the brain manages attention, which can affect the way we focus. For young people, who may spend more time on these kinds of platforms, this can lead to distraction and difficulty concentrating. Short videos affect kids in different ways:
- Overstimulation. Rapid visual and audio changes train the brain to expect reward after reward. This can make slower activities, like reading, studying, or even hobbies, feel less engaging.
- Dopamine overload. Repeated dopamine hits reduce the patience kids have for tasks that require more effort, or where they might receive delayed gratification.
- Fragmented attention. Jumping from one video to another (or one screen to another) every few seconds makes sustained attention weaker, and wears out the brain’s ability to stay focused, making it harder to concentrate on a single task.
Short videos and teen mental health: is there a connection?
There’s no single direct link between consuming short videos and mental health issues. That said, toxic use of short-form video platforms, or excessive time spent watching can have an effect on emotional wellbeing in different ways.
1. Short video scrolling could cause feelings of anxiety
The constant flow of new content that’s bottomless in nature can pressure children to stay up-to-date with friends and influencers. Combined with the fast pace of these videos, their experience can mimic stress and anxiety symptoms, such as irritability and difficulty relaxing.
Numerous studies have addressed this, such as a 2022 article in Monitor on Psychology from the American Psychological Association, which examined how information overload can contribute to mental stress, anxiety, and cognitive fatigue.
2. Social feed content may contribute to lower self-esteem
Your child’s scroll can be peppered with idealistic images and seemingly “perfect” lifestyles. Constant comparison, the thief of joy, can lead to feelings of not being good enough, and generally being dissatisfied. Studies suggest that prolonged exposure to this kind of content can raise the risk of mood disorders.
3. Scrolling, especially before bed, can disrupt sleep
If you sleep with your phone by your bed, you’ll know how difficult it is to resist the temptation to scroll. This urge to keep watching is often linked to sleep problems. Because late-night viewing for kids and teens often happens without supervision, routines and early morning wake-ups can be affected.
Watching stimulating content before bed activates the mind, and combined with the blue light that screens emit, this can delay falling asleep and lead to poorer sleep quality overall.
Research consistently shows that poor sleep affects both academic performance and emotional wellbeing, making children more likely to be irritable and less able to concentrate during the day.
The signs to watch for
Parents and caregivers play an important role in noticing when watching short videos becomes unhealthy. Some signs to watch for include:
- Excessive screen time
One key factor in limiting exposure to short videos is, logically, to limit the amount of time spent watching screens. Without guidance or screen time boundaries, kids and teens can find it difficult to self-regulate, spending hours online without even realizing the time they’re putting in. If you notice they’re spending more time than usual on devices, giving up activities they used to enjoy in favor of screens, or letting their screen time get in the way of sleep, school, or social life, it’s important to check in.
- Changes in social and activity habits
Another red flag to watch for is changes in how kids spend their free time. If your child spends more time cooped up in their room, avoids meeting friends, or gives up activities they once enjoyed, like sports, outdoor play, or other offline hobbies, this can signal a problem.
- Disruptions to sleep
A sign that social media or short-video consumption may be affecting your child is through changes in sleep routines. Your teen might begin staying up later, especially if they’re allowed to use devices in their bedroom at night. Using screens before bed can keep children up for hours, delaying sleep.
These changes in routine can affect both rest and their day-to-day wellbeing. In the morning, your child may appear tired, distracted, irritable, or show signs of poor sleep, such as constant yawning, or just having low energy levels. Because sleep is directly related to academic performance, concentration, and mood, recognizing these signs as early as possible can help get them back on track.
7 ways to build healthy habits
There are many different ways for you and your child to reduce the risks behind short-form video and social media content consumption – without relying on bans or creating arguments. Some of the most effective ways I’d suggest include:
1. Active listening and open conversation
Talk to your child about the videos they watch, why they like them, and why they meet their needs or interests. This builds understanding and helps you as a parent to guide them towards more positive content, if necessary.
2. Two-way communication
Listening doesn’t mean that their opinion is the only one that matters – validate their perspective, but also share your concerns. Provide them with evidence and explain in simple terms how excessive screen time and consumption affect sleep, focus, and mood. This helps them to understand the “why”, rather than just “because you can’t”.
3. Clear, shared agreements
Set family rules together for when and how long short video platforms can be watched. Agreements feel more like a shared commitment than imposed rules.
4. Lead by example
Children learn more from what they see than what they hear. If you’re frequently on your phone or engaging with social media content, it’s hard to expect kids and teens not to do the same. Consistency is key.
5. Encourage offline activities
Propose family activities and offer suggestions that align with your child’s interests. This can help them better balance their on and offline life.
6. Share digital time
Family activities don’t just have to be offline – you can share “connected” times together, too. Watching short videos together can be fun and help build bonds. It’s also a way for you to understand their taste and spark meaningful conversation.
7. Exchange interests
Show your child digital media and content that you enjoy consuming, too (providing it’s appropriate for their age). This creates space for sharing and connection.
For your child, disconnecting from screens after a long period can be difficult. They might be irritable or even angry when access is cut off or limited. While we might understand why they feel this way or react negatively, these kinds of reactions can create family tension, which is why setting rules, along with being consistent and patient, is essential.
It’s also worth noting that direct punishment – like taking all devices away – is not always the best approach and doesn’t work towards creating healthy habits together. Lead with curiosity and conversation: ask what attracts them to this kind of content, and work together to lay out clear rules that allow for more balanced use.
In the end, the goal isn’t to ban your child from watching short videos, but to support them in finding a balance. With guidance, understanding, and setting up healthy boundaries, children can still enjoy the good sides of technology while prioritizing their development, rest, and relationships.
