The Effect of Reels on Memory

Short form videos have taken over the world. Apps like Tiktok and Instagram Reels have transformed the way most of us spend our free time. These videos are designed to capture our attention and lead to a phenomenon called attention synchrony : viewers become too focused on the video that they lose track of time. Let’s look at exactly why and how this happens. 

The pace of short-form videos keeps our brains in a constant state of stimulation. Each new video forces a release of dopamine into our system, which creates a cycle of satisfaction forcing us to keep watching. 

The constant stream of rapid, disconnected stimuli creates a phenomenon known as proactive interference: where new information pushes out older information before the brain can properly process and store it. This occurs because our working memory has limited capacity, and the structure of short-form videos overwhelms the brain. 

Research has shown this is especially concerning in teenagers, as their brains are still in the process of developing the mechanisms that are responsible for efficiently processing information and forming memories.

A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health in Jordan revealed a direct correlation between higher levels of short-form video addiction and cognitive decline. Participants with greater addiction levels showed significantly lower attention spans. This research provides evidence that excessive consumption of these videos can have significant effects on cognitive function.

Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that increased screen time is linked to reduced myelination in the brain. Myelin is the fatty substance that sheaths nerve fibers and enables rapid signal transmission between neurons. When myelination decreases, the speed of signals between neurons slows causing the brain to slow with it. 

The combination of shorter attention spans and disrupted memory formation directly impacts students' academic capabilities. The brain's decision to adapt  to constant stimulation makes it increasingly difficult to then be capable of focusing consistently on tasks involving extended periods of concentration, such as reading books, composing essays, or working on complex problems.

Students report being unable to concentrate in class, completing homework assignments, and remembering information from study sessions. This creates a cascading effect where academic performance deteriorates as the brain becomes increasingly dependent on rapid content switching.

Adolescent brains are particularly vulnerable to these effects because they are still in critical developmental stages. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for executive functions, continues developing into the mid-twenties. Excessive exposure to short-form videos during this period can potentially alter normal brain development.

As we move ahead in this digital world, it becomes extremely important to develop strategies for mindful consumption and to recognize the importance of balancing content with activities that promote sustained attention.  The goal is to understand the video’s impact and use them in ways that support rather than undermine us.

Sources

Chiossi, Francesco, et al. “Short-Form Videos Degrade Our Capacity to Retain Intentions: Effect of Context Switching on Prospective Memory.” ArXiv:2302.03714 [Cs], vol. 1, 7 Feb. 2023, arxiv.org/abs/2302.03714, https://doi.org/10.1145/3544548.3580778.

“Are TikTok and Instagram Reels Sabotaging Your Brain? The Startling Effects of Short-Form Video on Memory, Attention Span, and Creativity.” PsychFuel, 29 Apr. 2023, psychfuel.home.blog/2023/04/29/are-tiktok-and-reels-sabotaging-your-brain-the-startling-effects-of-short-form-video-on-memory-attention-span-and-creativity/?utm_source=chatgpt.com. Accessed 23 June 2025.

The. “Neuroscience Of.” Neuroscience Of, 18 Feb. 2024, www.neuroscienceof.com/human-nature-blog/psychology-tiktok-memory-interference-social-media?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

Lima, Juliana Cruz. ““TikTok Brain” Is a Real Thing – It Is Eating Away at Your Mind & Making Your Children Dumber, Warn Exper...” The Sun, 27 Apr. 2024, www.thesun.co.uk/tech/27343170/tiktok-brain-addictive-children-dumb-warning/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

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