Attention Span
As you may have heard, the average length of our attention spans is getting shorter. Social media is causing people to desire more stimulation as people are consuming seconds-long videos in their feeds. Such videos are usually short-form content with additional videos such as Family Guy show clips, Subway Surfers gameplay, and ASMR videos being played on the outskirts of the screen for more retention. On this page, you will see some of the reasons why companies are recommending videos such as these, how the videos affect people psychologically, and how they can affect the user afterward.
Constant Notifications: Social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged through constant notifications, updates, and alerts. These frequent interruptions can fragment attention and make it difficult to focus on a single task for an extended period.
Short-Form Content: Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter are popular for their short-form content that provides instant gratification. The rapid consumption of these bite-sized pieces of information can condition the brain to expect quick rewards, reducing patience for longer, more complex content.
Work and Academic Performance: Difficulty in sustaining attention can lead to decreased productivity in both work and academic settings. Tasks may take longer to complete, and the quality of work can suffer .