THROUGH AND THROUGH –
Nov. 20, 2025 – Short-form video has reshaped how people consume content online, and a new report from the American Psychological Association now directly connects that format with notable declines in mental health. The study analyzes user engagement patterns and assesses a range of cognitive and mental health indicators. Previous research centered almost entirely on TikTok, but since short-form video is now embedded across every major platform, the authors broadened the scope to measure effects that extend beyond any single app.
According to the report, heavy short-form video consumption is linked to diminished cognitive function, particularly attention control and inhibitory control. Both younger and older participants who consumed higher volumes of short videos showed poorer attention spans overall.
To explain how these patterns form, researchers point to the dual theory of habituation and sensitization from Groves and Thompson’s 1970 work on cognitive processing. The study notes that constant exposure to fast, highly stimulating clips can desensitize the brain to slower tasks like reading or problem solving. At the same time, algorithmically delivered rewards may reinforce impulsive engagement and instant gratification.
