"Just One More" Destroys the Brain? How Short Video Addiction Steals Focus and Sleep - The Destination of a Brain Accustomed to "Instant Pleasure"

"I realized I had been watching Reels for an hour" or "I always end up opening TikTok after getting into bed and it's 2 AM"—
with the spread of short video platforms, such scenarios are becoming common worldwide.

Armenian media expert Samvel Martirosyan warned on Facebook that "excessive viewing of short videos can cause serious damage to the brain and mental health." According to international research he introduced, continuous engagement with "short and highly stimulating videos" like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts could significantly impair our attention and emotional control.panarmenian.net

The "first victim" is "attention"

One of the points highlighted by the research is that "attention is the first to be harmed."panarmenian.net

Short videos stimulate emotions such as laughter, surprise, and empathy continuously in a matter of seconds to tens of seconds. As soon as you stop watching, the next video auto-plays, and the brain becomes accustomed to a "state of immediate reward."

As a result,

• when faced with text that requires careful reading, you get bored after a few lines

• even while watching movies or long dramas, you feel the urge to fiddle with your smartphone

• it becomes difficult to concentrate on tasks like studying or work that take time to yield results

such changes are likely to occur, Martirosyan points out.panarmenian.net

From a neuroscience perspective, this is a state of adaptation to "immediate rewards." Repeated experiences of obtaining pleasure in a short time make it easier to prioritize "choices that feel good now" over the "ability to endure and work on long-term goals" managed by the frontal lobe.

Increased stress, anxiety, and loneliness

Short videos may seem like "escapism" or "a break," but research shows that heavy users tend to experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, and loneliness.panarmenian.net

The following mechanisms are considered possible causes:

• Continuously watching videos that capture only others' "glittering moments"
  intensifies the inferiority complex of "only I am living a dull and uninspiring life"

• Frequent exposure to violent or stimulating content accumulates unconscious anxiety

• Watching your smartphone until just before bed lowers sleep quality, leading to unstable mental health the next day

In fact, a survey introduced by Martirosyan also reported that "people who frequently watch short videos tend to have poorer sleep quality."panarmenian.net

The target of addiction is not only "teenagers"

Many people might associate short videos with youth culture. However, research shows that "the tendency for addiction is observed not only in young people but also in older generations."panarmenian.net

Businesspeople who keep scrolling through videos on their commute, housewives who chase "recommended videos" before bed—
regardless of age, anyone can be caught by the algorithm.

"I used to love reading books when I was younger, but now I can't even get through three pages" or "I feel the urge to open social media even during meetings" are not uncommon sentiments in Japan. As people age, life becomes busier, and the need for "quick mood changes" grows stronger. Since short videos perfectly meet that need, it's not surprising that middle-aged and older adults are potential addiction candidates.

The issue is "control" rather than "time"

Martirosyan particularly emphasized that "the problem is not the viewing time itself, but losing control."panarmenian.net

For example, enjoying short videos for just 30 minutes a day with a set time is entirely different in its impact on the brain compared to intending to watch for only 5 minutes but ending up watching for an hour or two.

As long as you can decide and execute "I'll stop here," you are still on the "using it as a tool" side.
However, if you continue to be unable to stop even when you want to, the control shifts to the app, and it feels more like "your fingers are moving on their own" rather than "you are scrolling."

Martirosyan also calls out, "If you feel you are losing concentration, you need to reset yourself."panarmenian.net

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What kind of "reactions" might arise on social media (imaginary post images)

※The following is not a quote from actual posts but a reconstruction of "typical social media voices" that might be expected from the theme of this article.

Voices of empathy and concern

• "Since getting hooked on short videos, I really can't read books anymore. This article really hits home."

• "I might be more addicted to TikTok than my kids. I need to practice putting my phone down."

• "I blamed my declining concentration on 'age,' but maybe short videos are the cause..."

People who recognize these patterns in their own lives might react with comments like "This hits too close to home."

Voices of defense and realism

On the other hand, those who view short videos positively might counter with comments like these.

• "It's not the content that's bad, but how you use it. There are tons of educational short videos."

• "It's more efficient to get information in a short time than watching TV aimlessly."

• "They say attention spans are decreasing, but maybe long videos are just boringly made?"

There is certainly discomfort with discussions that villainize the platform itself.

Self-deprecating jokes and meme culture

And the unique "meme-ification" that occurs on the internet is also common.

• "30 minutes to read one page of a paper, 5 minutes to watch 30 TikToks"

• "Concentration: 0, Scrolling skill: 999"

• "The phrase 'just one more' is practically the setup for a horror movie"

Even serious issues are shared through jokes and become memes.
This process itself can be said to be a feature of short video culture.

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How should we distance ourselves?

Short videos cannot be categorically labeled as "evil."
They often draw out creators' creativity and are used for educational content and raising awareness of social issues.

The important thing is to design your own "rules of use" such as the following:

1. Draw the line by "situation" rather than time

   • "Don't open short video apps once in bed"

   • "Limit to only 5 minutes during breaks from work or study"

2. Turn off notifications and keep them away from the home screen
   Just placing a buffer before opening the app can significantly reduce the number of "mindless openings."

3. Incorporate long-form content as a "workout"
   By deliberately enjoying books, long articles, and documentaries, you can regain the concentration that is being lost.

4. Check "dependency levels" with family and friends
   Having casual conversations like "How many hours of short videos did you watch this week?" can effectively visualize your state.
   
   
   

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In conclusion—"Who is scrolling?"

Short videos are a new form of expression that colors our lives, but they are also a "sweet trap" that quietly undermines attention and mental health.panarmenian.net

Originally, it should be us who are scrolling. But are we unwittingly handing over our fingers, time, and thoughts to the algorithm?

At unexpected moments, asking yourself, "Can I decide when to stop?"
This might be the first step to living flexibly in the era of short videos.