Scientists and neuropsychologists are issuing stark warnings about the potential mental impact of heavy consumption of short-form video content, with emerging studies pointing to significant risks for attention, impulse control and overall cognitive health.
What the Research Reveals About 'Brain Rot'
A major review of evidence, published in Psychological Bulletin in September, has intensified concerns. The analysis, which examined 71 studies involving nearly 100,000 participants, found clear links between frequent use of platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts and impaired attention, reduced impulse control, and declines in cognitive performance.
The same comprehensive review also connected high levels of short-form video viewing with increased reports of depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness. Supporting these findings, a separate paper from October, which looked at 14 studies, concluded that heavy consumption is associated with shorter attention spans and poorer academic results.
ADHD Diagnoses and the Question of Causation
These concerns are amplified against a backdrop of rising attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnoses in the United States. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that by 2022, approximately one in nine children had received an ADHD diagnosis.
Keith Robert Head, a doctoral student at Capella University and author of the October paper, highlighted a critical overlap. He noted that the symptoms linked to heavy short-form video use closely mirror those of ADHD, raising a pivotal question for future research. "Are these ADHD diagnoses actually ADHD, or is it an impact from the continued use of short-form video?" Head posed to NBC News.
International studies from the United Kingdom, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt further suggest connections between intense video consumption and problems with attention, memory, and mental fatigue. However, experts consistently caution that most current research shows correlation, not definitive causation, and offers only a snapshot in time.
A Call for Balance Amidst Uncertainty
Neuropsychologist James Jackson of Vanderbilt University Medical Centre urged against simplistic panic, reminding the public that society has historically feared new technologies, from video games to rock and roll. Yet, he affirmed that the concerns are valid. "The narrative that the only people who are worried about this are grumpy old grandpas... I think that's really simplistic," he stated.
Dr. Nidhi Gupta, a paediatric endocrinologist studying screen time, suggested it might be too early to proclaim universal doom but expects clarity soon. "Research on alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs took 75 years or more to develop. But I would be surprised if, in the next five to ten years, we do not see similar signs validating the moral panic around short-form videos," she told NBC News.
Jackson also acknowledged the potential benefits of short-form content, such as learning and community building, but emphasised that balance is crucial. The risk lies when engagement isolates individuals, pulls them away from healthier activities, or eliminates moments of simple boredom, which are important for cognitive development.
The consensus among experts is clear: while more long-term study is needed to identify who is most at risk and how lasting the effects may be, the early evidence warrants a mindful and moderated approach to consuming rapid-fire, algorithm-driven video content.
