Short-Form Videos Are Killing Our Attention Spans

The internet is abuzz with the term “brain rot.” Whether through frequent use of artificial intelligence or the consumption of YouTube’s vast short-form video library, the public is concerned about the long-term side effects, such as declining attention spans and weakened cognitive function. Their worries are warranted based on a body of research.

Attention Spans

For many, viewing long-form content can be harder. In fact, according to data gathered by the American Psychological Association, the average attention span for individuals looking at a screen declined from 2.5 minutes in 2004 to 47 seconds in 2021.

As the years go by and we scroll through our feeds more, our brains experience tremendous amounts of stimulation, making it more difficult for these instruments to focus when they are not staring at a screen of so-called AI slop or people slipping on ice.

Short-form video content – typically ten seconds long – is flooding screens everywhere. Because they are fun to watch, these have become part of our viewing routine at home, school, or work. It may be something to relieve stress or escape the world’s problems. But research indicates that this addiction is also harming our brains, particularly our attention spans.

A September 2025 review of 71 studies involving almost 100,000 participants found that people who regularly consumed short-form videos had more difficulty focusing during brain-testing tasks. This is because their brains showed weaker signals in areas critical to attention span and self-control, also known as the prefrontal cortex.

While these studies have been centered in the United States, similar findings have been reported in studies from the UK, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

Put simply, watching lots of five-, seven-, or nine-second clips can make it harder for your brain to remain focused for an extended period. Impacted is not only cognition but also mental health, including anxiety, depression, and stress.

But while experts warn that this is already harming adults and teenagers, the real danger may be viewed in children wearing diapers because their brains are still developing.

The Kids Are Not All Right

A 2025 survey from Common Sense Media found that children under the age of two average more than one hour of media per day, including video games and short-form videos. Additionally, the research found that children aged two to four years spend an average of more than two hours a day.

But while this might seem like a benign amount, the numbers could still harm child development.

Associate Professor Mike Nagel, a neurological development specialist from the University of the Sunshine Coast, garnered headlines recently after reporting the “shocking” results of an MRI study on the effects of screen time.

The study found that even two hours of screen time can erase white matter in the brains of kids between three and five.

“My gut reaction was, ‘wow,'” Nagel said. “I was not anticipating seeing anything like that. It hadn’t occurred to me at the time that something as little as two hours a day was having such a profound effect on the white matter.”

White matter is crucial for the brain’s communication systems, as it helps information travel faster and supports learning, attention spans, and self-control.

Despite the research, it does not mean all hope is lost. Parents can still implement measures to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.

The typical rule of thumb is that children under two should not be exposed to screens, while kids aged two to four should get less than one hour of screen time a day. Everyone else should be limited to two hours per day.

Beware

Unfortunately, Silicon Valley is not helping reverse course. Instead, YouTube will be pushing for Shorts to expand creator growth, bolster retention rates, and reduce “swipe-away” rates. The website now focuses on five-second hooks and fast-paced progression.

So, the next time you come across an eight-second video of a monkey stealing a lady’s purse, you may need to push yourself to find something longer. Your attention span will thank you.

1. “Brain rot,” caused by frequent use of artificial intelligence or the consumption of YouTube’s vast short-form video library, contributes to declining attention spans and weakened cognitive function.
2. The average attention span for individuals looking at a screen declined from 2.5 minutes in 2004 to 47 seconds in 2021.
3. One concerning study found that even two hours of screen time can erase white matter, which supports learning, attention spans, and self-control, in the brains of kids between three and five.