For many families, handing a child a smartphone has become an easy way to keep them occupied during meals, car rides or quiet moments at home. More often than not, those screens are filled with an endless stream of Reels, TikToks and other short-form videos that last only a few seconds before the next one appears. 

While these bite-sized clips may seem like harmless entertainment, researchers are increasingly questioning what hours of uninterrupted scrolling could be doing to young minds. A new study suggests that excessive exposure to short-form videos may not only fuel screen addiction but also contribute to attention difficulties, heightened stress and poorer mental wellbeing among adolescents.

Published in June in the European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry journal, the study by researchers at the University of Bayreuth in Germany examined how platforms built around rapid-fire videos affect the developing brain. The findings point to a growing need for healthier digital habits as short-form content continues to dominate social media.

One of the largest reviews on the subject

Rather than focusing on a single group of users, the researchers reviewed evidence from 42 international studies conducted between 2015 and 2025. Together, the studies included nearly 47,000 participants, with an average age of 16.8 years.

The review analysed young people's digital media habits across different settings, including homes, schools and other social environments, to understand how frequent exposure to short-form videos influences behaviour and mental health.

The researchers noted that a significant share of users on short-video platforms are teenagers. In 2023, more than one in four users on TikTok were aged between 13 and 17 despite the platform's age restrictions.

Designed to keep users watching

According to the researchers, the appeal of short-form videos lies in the way they are engineered. New content appears within seconds, creating a constant cycle of novelty that keeps viewers engaged without requiring much effort.

The study identified three design features that appear to encourage prolonged use: fast-paced video delivery, endless scrolling and algorithms that continuously personalise content based on users' viewing habits.

Researchers said this combination makes it difficult for young users to disengage. Endless scrolling removes natural stopping points, while personalised recommendations strengthen attachment to the platform by continually serving content that matches individual interests.

The review also suggested that constantly shifting attention from one clip to another may negatively affect memory processes over time.

Links to attention and mental health

To better understand the neurological effects, the researchers also examined studies that used brain imaging techniques, including EEG and MRI scans.

After accounting for factors such as age, gender, education, country, cultural background and the type of platform used, the researchers found consistent links between heavy short-video consumption and a range of cognitive and psychological challenges.

Young people who spent long periods watching short-form videos were more likely to experience increased inattention and impulsive behaviour, weaker working memory and higher levels of anxiety, depression and stress. The review also found stronger signs of addictive behaviour among frequent users.

The researchers classified heavy use as watching short-form videos for four hours or more each day. Unregulated use referred to unscheduled viewing habits that disrupted sleep patterns and interfered with everyday routines.

Encouraging healthier screen habits

While the researchers did not conclude that short-form videos alone cause mental health problems, they said the findings highlight the importance of balanced digital media use during adolescence.

They recommended that parents, schools and communities create supportive environments that encourage healthier relationships with technology. Setting clear schedules for screen use and reducing unplanned scrolling, they said, could help minimise potential risks to young people's behavioural and neurological development.