Researchers are raising concerns about the impact of short-form videos on the brain, with early studies lending weight to fears of so-called 'brain rot' — a term for mental decline named Oxford University Press's 2024 Word of the Year.
A comprehensive review of 71 studies involving nearly 100,000 participants, published in Psychological Bulletin, found that heavy short-form video use is linked to impaired attention, reduced impulse control, and declines in cognitive performance. The same review also reported connections to higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness.
Another October paper examining 14 studies reported that heavy consumption of such videos is associated with shorter attention spans and poorer academic performance. However, experts caution that long-term effects remain unclear.
James Jackson, a neuropsychologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, noted that society has historically reacted strongly to new technologies, from video games to Elvis Presley's dance moves. While urging against overreaction, he said many concerns are valid, adding that dismissing worries as 'grumpy old grandpas' is simplistic.
Current research suggests heavy short-form video use may broadly harm the brain, though more studies are needed to clarify who is most at risk and the mechanisms involved. Rising ADHD diagnoses in the U.S., with about one in nine children receiving a diagnosis by 2022, add to the concern. Keith Robert Head, a doctoral student and author of the October paper, questioned whether these diagnoses reflect ADHD or the impact of short-form video use.
Studies from the UK, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt suggest links between heavy video consumption and attention problems, memory disruption, and mental fatigue, though most show correlations rather than causation. Dr Nidhi Gupta, a pediatric endocrinologist, warned that older adults may also be at risk. While it may be too early to claim universal doom, she expects similar signs validating the moral panic within five to ten years. Jackson emphasised balance, noting that short-form videos can be beneficial but problematic if they pull people away from healthier activities or increase isolation.
