People who use multiple platforms have been more negatively affected than those who only use TikTok.
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The increasing use of short video platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts has been linked to negative mental health outcomes, a study has found. The analysis, which included data from 71 studies, concluded that the increase in the use of short video platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, is having a negative impact on mental health.
This study, conducted among 98,299 participants, found that people who use short videos excessively have poorer attention span, memory, and impulse control.
According to this study, published in the Psychological Bulletin journal , short videos have the greatest impact on focusing attention. This also makes it difficult to control impulses. Although there was a negative effect on memory, working memory, and language comprehension, the study mentioned that there was no effect on reasoning ability.
The study also mentioned that short video use has a negative effect on mental health. In addition to mental health problems, the study mentions that it also increases anxiety and stress.
According to researchers, the fast pace, excitement, and rapidly changing scenes of short videos increase the tendency to seek instant gratification and reduce tolerance for long-term, attention-demanding tasks. The study found that people who used to easily engage in reading, research, or tasks that required concentration are now finding it difficult to maintain attention for long periods of time.
The research found no difference in the effect based on age group. The findings revealed that the effect was the same for all teenagers, young adults, and adults. In addition, people who use multiple platforms have a greater negative effect than those who use TikTok alone.
Not all effects of short videos are negative. According to the study, short videos are effective in explaining sensitive topics like sex education, increasing creativity, providing entertainment, and spreading awareness about mental health.
