Parenting In The Know: Shorts
Shorts. (And we’re not talking about clothes.): Helpful or Hindering?
Short videos are all the rage right now. They are a quick and fun source of entertainment, usually making us feel good. And who doesn’t need that? It turns out, moderation may be key. Read on to learn more!
Recent research has shown that “shorts” may actually affect executive functioning (that fancy term for planning, judgment, decision making, and impulse control). In fact, when watched regularly they can actually change the way our brains work, especially for youth. Technically, they create an imbalance between executive control and the reward network, starting a vicious cycle that leads to increased motivation seeking and craving. This comes from the rapid-fire, highly stimulating nature that trains the brain for quick dopamine hits and desensitizes users to deeper, longer tasks, ultimately affecting cognitive control and overall mental well-being.
In short, that means that because short-form content is designed to allow users to quickly understand and digest information within a minute, users become unable to focus on longer videos (Liao, 2024). Large quantities of shorts can cause:
Significantly reduced attention span
Impaired focus
Increased anxiety and depression
Poor academic performance
Negative impacts on self-esteem
Potential for addictive behavior
Overall, while short videos can quickly and easily disseminate information, like anything else, watching them repeatedly may back fire. Helping your kid (or yourself) take a break from watching them may actually lead to feeling better. Who knew?
Amanda Smith, MA, LPC-S