Do Short Videos Really "Rot Your Brain"? For Those Who "Can't Watch a Movie to the End" ─ The Truth About Short-Form Content and the Brain

Do Short Videos Really "Rot Your Brain"? For Those Who "Can't Watch a Movie to the End" ─ The Truth About Short-Form Content and the Brain

2025年12月06日 10:15

1. The Overwhelming Catchphrase: "Short Videos = Brain Rot?"

TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels.


Before we knew it, short vertical videos became the stars of social media. Two minutes while waiting for a train, five minutes before bed, one minute during a work break—each time, we dive into another world with just a flick of our thumb.


Throwing cold water on this everyday scene is an article from the UK’s The Independent titled, "Experts weigh in: You’re definitely giving yourself brain rot."The Independent


The title itself is striking. The article introduces the possibility that excessive viewing of short videos could negatively impact attention and mental health, supported by recent research.


Adding to the symbolism is the fact that "brain rot" was chosen as the "Word of the Year" for 2024 by Oxford University Press. The term quickly spread worldwide as it captures the image of intelligence and focus "rotting away" from continuous exposure to trivial online content.Oxford University Press


So, how true is this expression of "brain rot"?


2. What a Meta-Analysis of 71 Studies and About 100,000 People Revealed

The Independent article highlights a large-scale meta-analysis that compiled data from 71 studies involving about 98,000 people.The Independent
Published in the top psychology journal Psychological Bulletin, this review reports the correlation between the use of short videos and the following trends:


  • Decreased attention span: A weakened ability to maintain focus on one point

  • Reduced impulse control: The tendency to touch the smartphone or abandon tasks midway

  • Overall decline in cognitive performance: Lower scores in memory and problem-solving

  • Impact on mental health: A tendency towards higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and lonelinessPubMed


Another paper from October reported that longer viewing times of short videos were associated with lower academic performance and difficulty maintaining concentration in class, based on a review of 14 studies.The Independent


Serious data is catching up with the colloquial term "brain rot."


3. The Link to Rising ADHD Diagnoses: "Real ADHD" or "Short Video Brain"?

Another concern is the relationship with the increasing diagnoses of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). According to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 9 children in the U.S. were diagnosed with ADHD as of 2022.The Independent


Keith Robert Head, a researcher featured in The Independent article, points out that the decline in attention and restlessness from watching too many short videos might overlap with genuine ADHD symptoms.The Independent


Of course, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder related to brain development, and it can't be simply said to be caused by watching too many videos.


However,

  • children with a tendency towards ADHD are more likely to get hooked on highly stimulating videos

  • The more they get hooked, the more their attention is eroded, affecting their daily life

This "vicious cycle" is suggested by multiple studies.PMC


4. It's Not Just the Young Who Are Affected

The term "TikTok brain" might make it seem like a problem only for the young, but experts are also warning older generations.


In The Independent article, Dr. Nidhi Gupta, a pediatric endocrinologist studying screen time, states thatolder adults, with more free time and possibly lacking tech literacy, are at risk of endlessly watching short videos.The Independent


Another study reports that in several countries, including Saudi Arabia, prolonged viewing of short videos is associated withattention problems, memory decline, and mental fatigue.The Independent


While thinking "it's just youth culture, so it doesn't concern me," middle-aged and older "hidden brain rot" groups might be increasing worldwide, finding themselves watching short videos for hours in bed, cutting into sleep time.


5. Social Media Reactions: Anxiety, Self-Deprecation, and Defiance

The debate over short videos and "brain rot" is, unsurprisingly, a hot topic on social media.

 



  • On X (formerly Twitter), posts summarizing the meta-analysis results went viral, spreading summaries like "Attention decline confirmed with data from 71 studies and about 100,000 people." The comments section is filled with self-deprecating remarks like "No wonder I can't sit through a two-hour movie anymore" and "This explains why my attention span is dead."X (formerly Twitter)

  • In Reddit's tech communities, threads like "New study says TikTok and Reels ruin your brain" see ironic discussions such as "But Reddit is also quite the brain rot" and "Isn't the whole internet like that?"Reddit

  • On Instagram and TikTok, on the other hand, "brain rot humor" is popular, featuring videos that intentionally collect nonsensical footage and bizarre AI characters. The "Italian Brain Rot" phenomenon reported by AP News is a movement that enjoys the very "meaninglessness" itself.AP News


Meanwhile, voices from creators can also be heard:

  • "I break down complex news and science topics in 60 seconds. I don't want this to be called 'brain rot.'"

  • "Without short videos, niche educational content would never have seen the light of day."

In fact, many viewers transition from short videos to educational channels or longer videos.


The atmosphere on social media is not a one-sided "It's dangerous, it should be banned," but rathera chaotic mix of anxiety, self-deprecation, defense, and defiance.


6. "The Brain Doesn't Actually Rot" — Experts' Calm Perspective

Reading this far, you might think, "Aren't all short videos bad after all?"
However, many researchers emphasize that we should not take **"brain rot" literally**.


  • Most studies only show acorrelationbetween short video usage time and test results or self-reports, and cannot definitively say, "This happened because of short videos."The Independent

  • Declines in attention and mental health issues are also intertwined with other factors such as lack of sleep, stress, and academic pressure.

  • Historically, every time a new medium emerged, such as video games, rock and roll, or comics, there were outcries that "children's brains are being ruined."The Independent


In The Independent article, neuropsychologist James Jackson says, "Dismissing those who worry as 'outdated old fogies' or, conversely, declaring 'short videos are absolute evil' is oversimplifying the issue."The Independent

In short,the issue is not the media itself, but how it is used and balanced.


7. How to Engage with Short Videos: 5 Practical Ideas

So, how should we approach short videos in our daily lives?
Based on research, expert comments, and "oops moments" shared on social media, the following five points emerge as realistic compromises.


① Reduce "Unconscious Scrolling"

The meta-analysis highlights the issue of "mindlessly watching without purpose."PubMed

  • Before opening an app, take a second to think, "What do I want to watch now?" and "How long will I watch?"

  • Avoid opening them after getting into bed,charge your phone outside the bedroom, orremove short video apps from the first screen

Even small efforts like these can significantly reduce unconscious scrolling.

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