Study links sleep issue to short video use

More than two in 10 teenagers and three in 10 college students in China say prolonged watching of short videos has affected their sleep and academic performance, according to a research report released recently by the Institute of Psychology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

For working adults, more than 40 percent reported that short video use negatively impacts their sleep quality and energy levels at work, the study said.

Short-form videos have become one of the most dominant trends in China's digital landscape, with about 95.5 percent of the country's 1.1 billion internet users engaging with the content, according to public data. But their soaring popularity has also fueled concerns about overuse and potential addiction.

The study, based on responses from about 130,000 people across the country, found that students from fourth grade through high school — typically ages 10 to 18 — spend more than 90 minutes a day on average watching short videos.

College students spend nearly 180 minutes daily, while working adults average about 140 minutes.

"The use of short videos tends to be more intense among teenagers and college students from rural areas, those with less educated or financially constrained parents, and adults with lower education levels and disposable incomes," the report said.

Heavy usage is also linked to an increased likelihood of depressive and anxiety symptoms, according to the study.

"The risk of depressive condition gradually escalates with heightened short video consumption among teenagers," the report said.

"While less than an hour of daily use does not significantly raise the risk of depressive condition for college students and working adults, prolonged usage does."

When daily viewing exceeds four hours, about 42 percent of teenagers, 29 percent of college students and 34 percent of working adults reported experiencing varying degrees of depressive symptoms.

Guo Fei, an assistant professor at the institute and co-author of the research, said it is difficult to define a healthy range of short video use or diagnose addiction based solely on screen time.

"Some people who appear to spend long hours on short videos might actually be watching tutorials or educational content to improve their knowledge and skills," she said.

Based on the findings, Guo recommended that teenagers limit their short video usage to under 30 minutes a day. For adults, 30 minutes to an hour may offer some mental benefits, but usage should ideally remain under an hour.

She also advised scheduling short video viewing after meals or exercise, or on weekends as a way to relax without disrupting sleep and work performance. Developing alternative stress-relief habits and engaging more in face-to-face interactions were also encouraged.

The research was part of the institute's fourth edition of its report on national mental health development in China, covering the period from 2023 to 2024.

A broader survey included in the report, which involved more than 170,000 participants, found that the risk of depressive condition is generally lower among individuals who are married, maintain a healthy weight, or exercise regularly. Contributing risk factors included working more than 10 hours a day and frequent online shopping.