Video Platform

TikTok

Short-form video, algorithmically auto-served.

Short-form video platform owned by Chinese technology company ByteDance. The default For You feed is fully algorithmic with frictionless auto-advance.

Documented Cognitive Harm Footprint

69

Harm Footprint

High

A 2025 study confirmed that high short-video usage intensity is positively related to addiction, "TikTok Brain" (perceived mood enhancement) and decreased attention control. A 2024 study found increased short-form video consumption relates to poor sustained attention.

Harm Count
20 / 40
Severity
22 / 35
Reach
22 / 22
Mechanism
5 / 5

View on Graph → All Platforms

Documented Harms (4)

Decreased Attention Control

2025 adolescents and young adults

Significant decrease in attention control among heavy short-video users.

Source: 2025 study on short-video usage and addiction

"TikTok Brain"

2025 adolescents and young adults

Heavy use is linked to "TikTok Brain" — a perceived mood-enhancement state tied to algorithmic dopamine cycling.

Source: 2025 study on short-video usage and addiction

Addictive Use Patterns

2025 adolescents and young adults

High short-video usage intensity is positively related to addictive consumption behaviours.

Source: 2025 study on short-video usage and addiction

Poor Sustained Attention

2024 adolescents and young adults

Increased short-form video consumption directly relates to poor sustained attention performance.

Source: 2024 study on short-form video consumption and sustained attention