Short videos and Instagram Reels have become a significant source of entertainment, dominating social media platforms in recent times. Users frequently engage with their devices, consuming one reel after another, leading to a phenomenon that resembles addiction for some individuals. Nevertheless, the implications of short videos may not be entirely positive. A study conducted by researchers at Tianjin Normal University indicates that the constant switching between brief video segments can impair the brain's capacity to concentrate and negatively impact overall cognitive performance.

Findings of the study:

The research involved 111 individuals aged 17 to 30 who regularly engage with short videos. Over a period of two months, participants were instructed to watch an average of 95 minutes of short films daily, while their brain activity was monitored using MRI technology.

The findings were startling. Participants exhibited brain activity indicative of addictive behaviour. Notably, regions associated with decision-making and emotional regulation, specifically the orbitofrontal cortex and cerebellum, displayed increased grey matter in those exhibiting more pronounced addiction symptoms.

Additionally, heightened activity was recorded in the posterior cingulate cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, areas linked to attention and self-referential thought. This suggests that individuals with greater exposure to short videos may engage in self-comparative thinking, resulting in diminished attention. Furthermore, 500 genes associated with addiction and neural alterations were identified in these participants.

Shorter attention span and poor sleep:

The researchers noted a correlation between the increased exposure of participants to short videos and their difficulties with maintaining attention. Additionally, these individuals exhibited diminished sleep quality, often experiencing insomnia. Envy emerged as a significant contributor to the addiction to short videos. Participants frequently used these videos as a means to escape from negative thoughts and sought validation through continuous scrolling. The researchers recommended that users approach short video formats with caution.

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