Nowadays, an increasing number of young people spend several hours each day watching short videos on social media platforms. In my opinion, this is mainly because these platforms are specifically designed to capture users’ attention, and I believe this trend should be regarded as a negative development due to its harmful effects on concentration and mental well-being.
One major reason why young people spend so much time watching short videos is that social media algorithms continuously recommend content based on users’ interests. These platforms carefully analyse people’s viewing behaviour, including the videos they watch, like, and share. As a result, they are able to recommend increasingly personalised content that matches each user’s preferences. Consequently, many young people continue scrolling for long periods because every new video feels interesting and relevant to them.
I believe this trend is largely negative because excessive exposure to short videos can reduce young people’s ability to concentrate. Since most videos last only a few seconds, users become accustomed to constantly changing content and immediate entertainment. Over time, this makes it more difficult for them to remain focused on activities that require sustained attention, such as reading books or studying. For example, many students report finding it difficult to complete homework without checking their phones every few minutes, which can negatively affect their academic performance.
In conclusion, young people spend excessive amounts of time watching short videos because social media platforms are highly effective at maintaining users’ attention. Unfortunately, I believe this is a negative development since it may weaken concentration and reduce learning efficiency.