Short-Form Videos: Fuelling Addiction & Harming Kids' Development?

• Short-form videos like TikTok and Reels are a constant presence in children's lives, designed for rapid, compulsive scrolling.
• Problematic use disrupts sleep, weakens attention, and can lead to lower self-esteem and anxiety in young users.
• Younger children are highly susceptible due to less mature self-regulation and exposure to inappropriate content without context.
• Heavy use is linked to reduced inhibitory control and attention spans, impacting mood, schoolwork, and relationships.
• Solutions include school guidelines, platform changes, and parental strategies like device-free zones and encouraging offline activities.

Why It Matters: Short-form videos pose significant risks to children's well-being, requiring collective action from platforms, schools, and parents.