A new study confirms what everyone is feeling about social media, the internet, and the ubiquity of short little video snippets: our brains and attention spans are getting absolutely cooked.

Researchers from Griffin University analyzed 71 other studies and data from 98,299 participants, and concluded that short-form videos (SFVs), such as TikToks or Instagram reels, are making people’s attention spans worse. (Subscribe to MR. RIGHT, a free weekly newsletter about modern masculinity)

A meta-analysis of 71 studies and 98,000 people has confirmed what everyone’s been feeling:

Consuming short-form content (TikTok, Reels, Shorts) leads to a shorter attention span.

If you want a longer attention span, consume more long-form content. AKA read more books. pic.twitter.com/fldma4fHYJ

— Alex & Books 📚 (@AlexAndBooks_) November 15, 2025

“Overall, this meta-analysis revealed a consistent pattern linking higher SFV use with poorer cognitive performance, particularly in attentional control and inhibitory........

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