Short video addiction and its impact on cognitive functioning in adolescents and youth: a systematic review

Short-video platforms are rapidly growing worldwide, raising concerns about their cognitive effects. While several reviews have explored short-video addiction (SVA) and mental health, research on cognitive outcomes remains limited. This review synthesises findings from 23 studies examining SVA and its cognitive consequences in adolescents and young adults. Attention and self-control were the most affected cognitive domains, with additional but less frequent impacts on memory, decision-making, negative cognitive bias, loss of aversion, and cognitive engagement. SVA was associated with attentional deficits, impaired executive control, and working memory problems, which may undermine academic performance and adaptive behaviour. Self-control emerged as a protective factor, whereas impulsivity, boredom, and negative cognitive bias increased vulnerability. The findings highlight the importance of interventions promoting self-control and healthy short-video use to mitigate cognitive impairments. In the present study, most included research was conducted in China, emphasising the need for studies in other countries to cover diverse populations.