YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels are making you dumber, according to science

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I was reading about a new study from Zhejiang University in China, and it’s pretty concerning. Apparently, all those short videos we’re watching – TikTok, Instagram Reels, you name it – are actually making it harder for us to focus! It’s not good news for our attention spans, that’s for sure.

Recent research published in the journal ‘Frontiers’ suggests that what Gen Z calls ‘brainrot’ – feeling mentally sluggish or overwhelmed – could actually be a legitimate phenomenon, not just a slang term.

I’ve been seeing this study from 2024 all over the internet lately, and it’s pretty concerning! Apparently, it found that watching a lot of short-form videos – things like TikToks, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts – can actually mess with your ability to focus and control your thoughts. It’s a little scary to think about, honestly!

Study shows correlation between short-form content and low impulse control

The study involved 48 people – 35 women and 13 men – who were, on average, 21.8 years old. Everyone in the study regularly used social media and watched short-form videos.

Forty-eight participants completed surveys and tests to understand their habits with short-form video and their ability to control their behavior. These assessments also measured traits like impulsiveness, stress levels, how easily their minds wander, their ability to focus, and symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Participants then completed an Attention Network Test, a series of 192 tasks designed to measure their alertness, focus, and ability to control their attention, using brainwave monitoring (EEG).

The study revealed a compelling connection between social media and brain function. People who frequently watched short-form videos tended to have less self-control, struggled with focus, and showed reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex – the area of the brain responsible for concentration and control.

The study found that people who spend a lot of time watching short videos on their phones may have trouble with self-control and focusing their attention.

Okay, so I’ve been reading up on this, and it turns out all that endless scrolling through short videos isn’t so great for you. This research basically shows it can have some really negative effects, and we seriously need to figure out ways to help people who are getting hooked on it. It’s like, it’s becoming a real problem, and we need solutions.

Okay, so TikTok isn’t literally frying my brain, but studies are showing a real link between watching a ton of short videos and having trouble focusing or controlling impulses. Basically, the more I scroll, the harder it seems to stay on task or resist doing things I probably shouldn’t!

This new research echoes earlier findings – specifically a 2025 study by the American Psychological Association – which indicated a link between social media use and difficulties with attention and self-control. The study is generating concern online.

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2026-02-26 23:55