Concerns about the rising popularity of shortform content and brain concentration problems are also being raised. Shortform content refers to content that can be consumed without investing a long time. This is usually provided in the form of short videos, GIFs, images, text, etc. that are less than 60 seconds. These contents are commonly used on social media, mobile applications, websites, etc.
Due to recent advances in digital technology, short-form content that delivers a lot of information in a short time and consumes quickly is the trend. According to a 2021 Statista survey, 52% of all users consume videos less than 15 seconds on Instagram, of which the average daily usage is 26 minutes. According to TikTok's official blog in 2021, the number of TikTok users aged 18-24 is the largest, and they spend an average of 52 minutes a day on TikTok.
Short form has the advantage of being able to consume easily and quickly in a short time. We often run out of time due to our busy schedule every day. In this situation, short-form content has the advantage of being able to acquire information easily and quickly in a short time. It can also be used in various fields. Shortform content can be produced in various forms such as text, images, and videos, and can be used in various fields such as news, advertisements, and entertainment.
As of 2023, short-form content is becoming more popular due to advances in the Internet and mobile technologies. These contents are commonly used on social media, mobile applications, and websites, and users enjoy the advantage of being able to acquire information faster and faster. Shortform videos are especially popular and are very actively used on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, Reels, etc. TikTok has more than 1 billion downloads worldwide as of 2021, with users using an average of 52 minutes a day. In addition, Instagram Reels has grown rapidly since its launch in August 2020, with more than 100 million users in June 2021. In addition, short-form content is also actively used in various fields such as news, advertisement, games, music, and sports. For example, in the news field, news clips are available on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and so on, and in the advertising field, you can promote your product or brand in a limited time on YouTube, Instagram, and so on.
However, these days many people worried about brain problems that occur when consuming these contents. In this article, we will look at the relationship between short form content and the brain and how to deal with it.
- Popularization of Short Form Content and Brain Concentration Problems
Shortform content provides visual stimulation because it is visually appealing. These visual stimuli stimulate the visual processing area of the brain, forming memories that are likely to leave an impression on the brain for a short time.
In addition, short-form content has a high information density even in a short time. This density of information carries a lot of information to the brain, and it digests a lot of information in a short period of time. However, short-form content can be limited to in-depth information understanding or long-term memory, as it mainly provides fragmentary information. In addition, short-form content requires short-term concentration rather than continuous stimulation to the brain due to its low cognitive load as it is short. Therefore, short-form content leaves a strong impression on the brain for a short time, but there may be limitations in long-term memory or in-depth understanding of information. With the development of digital technology, short-form content has become popular, and the time spent on it is increasing. As a result, there is a high possibility of problems related to brain concentration. In particular, if shortform content is continuously consumed through digital devices such as smartphones, the brain's load may increase, and concentration problems may worsen.
-The Relationship Between Short Form Content and Popcorn Brain
Shortform content tends to deliver a lot of information in a short time and consume quickly. This leads to the Popcorn Brain phenomenon, which refers to people who see it stimulating their brain like popcorn and making it easier to focus on overly stimulating content. One term that has been used to describe the potential negative impact of short-form content is "popcorn brain." This term refers to the idea that consuming short-form content on a regular basis can lead to a lack of focus, attention, and critical thinking skills. Because short-form content is designed to capture our attention quickly and keep us engaged for only a short amount of time, it can be difficult for our brains to focus on longer, more complex forms of content. Some experts have argued that the constant stimulation provided by short-form content can lead to a decrease in our ability to retain information and think critically. This is because our brains become accustomed to the rapid-fire stimulation of short-form content, and we may find it harder to focus on more complex or nuanced ideas.
- How to keep your health when consuming short form content?
1.Active filtering of information
Shortform content requires the ability to find key content among fast-delivered information. Therefore, active information filtering is required when consuming shortform content. To do this, you need to develop the ability to understand the main contents of the content and remove unnecessary information.
2. Proper rest and exercise
Continuous consumption of shortform content can increase the load on the brain, causing health problems such as stress symptoms as well as concentration problems. Proper rest and exercise are needed to prevent this. You can relax and read books or take a walk, keep your brain and body comfortable, and relieve stress by exercising.
3. Smartphone usage time limit
A smartphone is a tool that makes it easy to access shortform content. However, it is important to limit your smartphone usage time. As the time of using smartphones increases, the load on the brain increases, which can lead to problems such as concentration problems and eye health problems. Therefore, it is recommended to limit smartphone usage time to a suitable level.
4. Diverse content consumption
Shortform content is information-oriented content that is delivered quickly. However, it is also good for brain health to consume a variety of content. For example, staying focused for a long time by reading books or listening to audiobooks helps your brain health. Also, it is important to activate your brain through various experiences, such as taking a walk-in nature or enjoying art activities.
Short form can cause many side effects not only in brain health but also in other ways.
Eye Health: The longer you watch the shortform, the more tired your eyes can accumulate and affect your eye health. To avoid this problem, we recommend that you follow the 20-20-20 rule when viewing the shortform. In other words, every 20 minutes, you rest your eyes for 20 seconds and look more than 20 feet away.
Lack of exercise: As you spend more time watching the shortform, you are likely to lose exercise. In particular, the fact that you usually sit down and watch shortform can exacerbate this problem. Therefore, it is good to exercise together when watching short form.
Social Media Addiction: Social media, including short platforms, is a highly addictive form of content. Some people become obsessed with watching short platforms, which can interfere with their daily lives and social life.
Lack of sleep: Shortform is usually sleep-disrupting content. Especially, watching short form at night can cause sleep deprivation. To avoid these problems, we recommend that you limit the time you spend watching the shortform, or not watch it before you fall asleep.
Psychological Impact: Some short-form content can have a negative impact. For example, comparisons of physical appearance or social status, or Instagram accounts that show a perfect life can cause depression, anxiety, and self-esteem problems. Therefore, when looking at the short form, appropriate choices and restrictions are needed for one's psychological health.
Shortform content plays a very important role in our daily lives because it can be easily provided with information. However, excessive consumption can cause brain health problems. Therefore, when consuming shortform content, you should continue to practice ways to protect your health, such as active information filtering, proper rest and exercise, and smartphone usage time limits. Also, maintaining a consistent lifestyle while consuming various contents helps brain health. Shortform content that can be useful if used well, but too much use can cause side effects. How much do you use per day?
