Why some people can't tear themselves away from TikTok - explained by scientists

Researchers studied what's known as "short video addiction," a condition in which a person loses control of their viewing and spends more time on apps than they intended.

Details

It turns out that emotional state plays a key role. People who find it difficult to understand or talk about their feelings are more likely to use short videos as a way to distract themselves or "escape" from their worries.

Additionally, poor attention control also affects risk. If a person has difficulty concentrating and switching, they are more easily drawn into an endless feed of videos.

The study also found that anxiety in relationships - such as fear of rejection - can reinforce this addiction through the same mechanisms: emotion and attention.

The authors emphasise, however, that this is a statistical link, not a direct cause. In addition, the data is based on participants' self-assessment, which may affect the accuracy of the results.

Why it matters

The researchers note that risk can be reduced through simple practices:

• limiting time on apps with short videos
• have periods without a phone
• practising concentration (e.g. through mindfulness or working without distractions)
• learn to better understand your emotions

According to the authors, developing attention and emotional awareness can be more effective than simply banning social media.

Backgrounder

Short videos remain one of the fastest growing content formats and are increasingly feared for their impact on user behaviour, especially among young people.

Source

The work was published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology. The study involved 342 students between the ages of 18 and 22.