Adolescents Addicted to Short-Form Videos Face Sleep and Anxiety Issues

This is worse addiction than smoking, drinking. Haven't watched any short/reels for 5 days straight feeling like a void inside. But its better, Watching reels/shorts would give a feeling of satisfaction because of the dopamine release. So seeking other experiences for that dopamine hit. Life is getting better.

It's been 4 years since covid started and all of us went into the first lockdown (24 March 2020). I just thought of this while making another post, and this has actually taken me aback. It was such a crazy time, and now it's just long gone. - We got a lot of time to be home, to be around loved ones, most of us are privileged and hence Covid wasn't bad at all. We were mostly making Dalgona Coffee, sourdough bread, playing PUBG, watching movies, etc. - A lot of us also lost loved ones. It was really brutal for those who did. And it was always scary for the rest of us. - Most of us who have been in tech saw our salaries climb the fastest. The absolute peak job market, best hikes, the world was very positive in that sense - not as much work and enough pay to enjoy - The biggest thing I've noticed: Covid got me hooked to Instagram/YT Shorts/and other social media. I feel like I used to be more aware and awake before covid. Somehow, a lot of exposure to social media/content etc. has made me just very zoned out in life. I think a lot of us have a much shorter attention span. IDK if this is true, but certainly feels like it is true. Just penning this down because I'm genuinely tripping how long it's been.

I couldn't concentrate for my placement preparation. Whenever I sit for studies, after 1hour session, then I go for a 15min break for second 1hr session. But that 15min break becomes 45min Or 60min break b'coz I get to watch YouTube(I don't use any other social media). & then I lost the motivation to sit for studies. I'm trying different apps to limit phone(primarily YouTube usage, but nothings working. Please suggest some solution guys. I need your precious guidance.

Seems apt, now that there are everywhere incl OTT, next thing to capture would be social media.

- Increased Boredom: The study, led by Dr. Katy Tam from the University of Toronto, found that swiping through online videos to alleviate boredom actually increases feelings of boredom rather than reducing them. - Digital Switching: The behavior of switching between videos or fast-forwarding through them, known as digital switching, fragments attention and makes the content seem less meaningful. This leads to higher levels of boredom and lower satisfaction with the content. - Experimental Findings: The study involved seven experiments with over 1,200 participants. In these experiments, participants who watched a single video without the option to fast-forward reported feeling less bored and more satisfied compared to those who switched between multiple videos. - Engagement and Meaning: Immersion in a single video content is more enjoyable and meaningful than constantly switching between different videos. This is analogous to the immersive experience one might have in a movie theater. - Demographic Variations: The study noted that the effects of digital switching on boredom might vary by age and familiarity with digital media. Experiments with a broader age range showed less pronounced effects, suggesting different viewing habits across age groups. - Mental Health Implications: Chronic boredom, which can be exacerbated by digital switching, is linked to negative mental health outcomes such as depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sadistic aggression. Therefore, minimizing digital switching could have positive implications for mental health. Source: [American Psychological Association](https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2024/08/online-videos-boredom)

I just read an Economic Times article relating to this menace. I feel these struggling to make revenue, made private video call feature, apparently users posted explicit content and even CHILD sxual abuse video on these streams and then now they're leaked out in the open it's incomprehensible to me how the new age internet indians are doing things. Link : https://m.economictimes.com/prime/technology-and-startups/for-social-media-platforms-in-india-a-growing-obsession-with-porn-is-posing-a-tough-problem/primearticleshow/103442319.cms?giftid=9mwf2786e8i58wk2zazqdi8t2i1kyw48

- Preteen girls are increasingly using anti-aging products seen on social media, leading to severe skin reactions and long-term damage. - Dermatologists report a rise in young patients with rashes, burns, and allergic reactions from products not meant for children's sensitive skin. - The trend is fueled by influencers and viral hashtags like #SephoraKids, pushing girls to adopt elaborate skincare routines. - Experts warn that the obsession with beauty standards promoted online can harm girls' self-esteem, body image, and mental health. - Calls for industry accountability and legislative action are growing, with some advocating for stricter regulations on marketing and sales of these products to minors. Source: [Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/influenced-skincare-routine-mental-health-f59bb09114ab93323e3a47197a1ad914)

Not actually very conclusive scientifically, but I feel this makes a lot of sense. Mental health deterioration and social media usage seem to be increasingly linked. - In Australia, spikes in psychological distress (a general indicator of mental ill-health) are driven by "millennials" and "Gen-Zs". - The most recent Australian data shows that 40 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds (Gen Z) experienced a mental disorder in the preceding 12 months, an increase from 26 per cent in 2007. - In 2013, 97 per cent of Australian adolescents were already using social media (on any device). A 2017 study found teens averaged more than three hours of social media use a day across at least four different social media platforms. - When looking at these two trends side-by-side, it might appear we have found our solution to youth mental health: restrict screen time. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/etmarkets-emerging-investment-opportunities-2024/articleshow/108590758.cms