By Muhammad Abubakar
Frequent exposure to short-form videos on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts may affect brain systems involved in self-control, attention and memory, according to emerging research.
A neuroimaging study found that watching preferred short videos was associated with increased activity in the amygdala, a brain region involved in emotion and reward, while areas of the prefrontal cortex responsible for cognitive control showed reduced activity. The researchers said the effect was more pronounced among people with lower levels of self-control.
Other recent research has reported similar concerns. A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis covering 71 studies and nearly 98,300 participants found that greater use of short-form video was associated with poorer cognitive performance, particularly in attention and inhibitory control.
A separate study published in npj Science of Learning also found that learning through fragmented short videos was associated with poorer memory accuracy and reduced activity in several brain regions involved in information integration, cognitive control and semantic processing.
However, researchers caution that the findings do not mean that watching TikTok, Reels or Shorts literally “deactivates the brain.” Most studies examine associations or short-term changes in brain activity, and more longitudinal research is needed to establish whether frequent short-form video consumption causes lasting cognitive changes.
The findings nevertheless add to growing concerns about the cognitive effects of endless scrolling and rapidly changing, algorithmically selected content, particularly when such platforms are used for prolonged periods.