Berlin – A recent study by researchers at the University of Bayreuth in Germany warns that continuous viewing of short video clips may increase attention problems and stress levels among teenagers and young adults. The study, published in June in the European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry journal, highlights potential health risks from these videos, particularly as growing numbers of young people engage with this content worldwide.
According to the research, more than a quarter of TikTok users in 2023 were aged 13 to 17, despite age restrictions on the platform. The researchers analyzed data from more than 1,500 groups drawn from 42 global studies conducted between 2015 and 2025, covering nearly 47,000 participants with an average age of 16.8 years. The studies examined digital media use in homes, schools, and youth gathering places.
Diagnostic assessments included measurements of brain activity through EEG and MRI scans to evaluate the neurological impact of short video use. The study identified three key factors that connect adolescents to this media: rapid content delivery, endless scrolling, and highly personalized algorithms. Researchers found that fast-paced content could harm future memory. Overly personalized feeds increased attachment to the content, while infinite scrolling extended screen time, reducing natural breaks.
The analysis accounted for age, gender, country, cultural background, education level, and platform used. Results showed that heavy and unregulated use of short videos was linked to slight to moderate increases in inattention and impulsivity, poorer working memory, higher rates of anxiety, depression, and stress, and a notable rise in addictive behaviors. The study defined “heavy use” as spending four or more hours per day watching short videos. “Unregulated use” referred to random, unscheduled viewing that could interfere with sleep and daily routines.
The researchers recommended several preventive measures, including fostering supportive social environments and implementing clear schedules for digital media use, to reduce the risks for adolescents’ behavior and neurological development.