YouTube, TikTok, And Short Video Addictions Among Emerging Adults
According to a 2025 report on Backlinko.com, a website dedicated to search engine optimization, YouTube is consistently a top-rated online search term. Some professionals have warned against the excessive use of YouTube Shorts. For example, ChoosingTherapy.com, an outline site for mental health articles, released a report in 2023 describing how the compulsive urge to watch videos on YouTube can lead to disruptive sleep, neglecting personal responsibilities, and diminished interest in offline activities. This report acknowledged that 'YouTube Addiction' is not an official clinical term but stated that excessive use can lead to symptoms such as heighted anxiety, loss of self-control, and even withdrawal.
Short Video Addiction (SVA) is a term used by researchers, and this is separate from excessive general internet use. A 2025 report in the journal of NeuroImage highlighted how SVA represents an uncontrolled use of short-video platforms (e.g. YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels) to consume rapid information in which the content is personalized by algorithms. According to this report, SVA has a negative impact on brain functioning, including increased reward processing and decreased top-down cognitive control, which could affect attention and emotional regulation.
Why SVA Awareness Is Important For Emerging Adults
A 2024 report by Frontiers in Psychology described college students as the primary users of internet applications and digital apps. According to this report, nearly half of emerging adults visit social websites daily and spend more than one hour per day viewing short videos. However, it's a misconception to think that the dangers of SVA are limited to excessive waste of time. As stated, studies suggest that SVA can alter brain and neural functioning, which is especially alarming for emerging adults whose brains are still developing. For example, a 2025 study by Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that SVA among college students was associated with higher risk-taking tendencies, greater sensitivity to loss, and a heightened sensitivity to video cues. The report in Frontiers of Psychology also revealed a connection between SVA and personality traits among college students and found that depression and anxiety were critical meditators of this relationship.
The Role Of Misinformation In SVA
A special consideration with SVA is the amount of misinformation found on short-video platforms. Producers of short videos are usually not rewarded by the quality of their content but rather by the number of consumers. Thus, the temptation to sensationalize and exaggerate reality is high. This is reflected in a 2023 report by Capitol Technology University, which explained that roughly a fifth of TikTok videos contain significant misinformation. Perhaps more concerning are results from studies, such as a 2025 study in Computers in Human Behavior, which consistently show that young adults often struggle to detect misinformation on digital platforms, even though they tend to express high confidence in their ability to do so.
Preventing SVA In Emerging Adults
Encouraging emerging adults to assess their use of short-video platforms is an essential first step in preventing SVA. Not only should the time on these platforms be measured, but also any emotions that follow. Feelings of insecurity, anxiety, or regret are signs of maladaptive use. It's also important for emerging adults to be intentional about their use of short-term platforms. Having consistent and scheduled times to view short videos is the antithesis of impulsive use. Furthermore, emerging adults will likely benefit from vetting information and prioritizing offline activities. Those with significant struggles will likely find help from a mental help professional who is well-versed in treating SVA.
Short-video platforms provide emerging adults with the opportunity to access unlimited information and better connect with the world. For some, the rapid consumption of content that has been personalized by an algorithm can result in excessive use that takes a toll on brain functioning, emotions, and behavior.
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