Abstract:
The rise of short-form video platforms, such as TikTok and Kwai, has sparked widespread concerns over their addictive impact on children and adolescents. With engagement metrics surging, especially in countries like China where nearly 50% of young users are frequent viewers, the potential negative outcomes have come under intense academic and clinical scrutiny. This review paper explores the multi-faceted consequences of short-form video addiction among children, focusing on behavioral, social, and cognitive domains. Findings suggest that addiction to these platforms can lead to decreased attention span, heightened impulsivity, and academic procrastination. Additionally, the compelling and dopamine-driven design of short-form video apps adversely impacts young users' sleep quality, social engagement, and emotional regulation. Psychologically, the instant gratification associated with short-form videos may undermine cognitive resilience, resulting in a preference for quick, surface-level engagement over deeper, sustained attention. Socially, high dependency on these platforms often correlates with elevated levels of social anxiety, impairing real-world social skills and fostering isolation tendencies. This paper synthesizes research across neuropsychology, behavioral studies, and social science, concluding with a discussion of preventative strategies and digital wellness recommendations to mitigate the adverse effects of short-form video addiction on youth development.
Keywords: social media, addiction, short-videos, cognitive consequences.
Citation:
Riya Desai, Ravi Gupta, Amrita Kumari, and Vivek Kushwaha (2024), Short-Form Videos Addiction Among Children: Behavioral, Social, and Cognitive Consequences. International Journal of Arts, Commerce & Education (IJACE), Volume: 01 Issue: 02, Pages: 01-12. https://www.ijace.org/papers/v1/i2/IJACEV1I20001.pdf