YouTube co-founder explains why he doesn't want his kids to watch 'short' videos -

He highlighted its potential impact on the care and well-being of minors, a concern supported by the scientific community.

Concerns about the impact of short videos on children have been raised after YouTube co-founder Steve Chen publicly warned of the risks these formats can pose to a child's development.Chen cautioned against children's consumption of short videos, believing they could negatively affect children's attention span and well-being.

This position coincides with comments from the scientific community, which documents the link between heavy use of short and digital videos and cognitive mental health problems in young people.

Steve Chen's argument and his parents' vision

During a conference held at Stanford University in early 2024, Steve Chen expressed his skepticism about the proliferation of short content on platforms like TikTok and YouTube."Consuming short content translates into shorter attention spans," he said, warning of the effects for people who are regularly exposed to this stimulation.

Chen, who has two children, said he decided to limit his family's access to these videos and prioritize personal contact.In his experience, some parents have taken similar measures, encouraging the consumption of content that does not rely on bright colors or visual techniques to capture the attention of young children.This project aims to prevent children from developing an addiction to the instant gratification qualities of short videos.

The engineer also emphasized the pressure tech companies are facing to adapt their platforms to this type of design due to TikTok's growth.However, he felt it was the responsibility of these institutions to implement safeguards such as age restrictions or temporary access limits to reduce potential addiction risks.

Short video platform use and trends among minors

The digital life of children and teenagers has changed a lot due to the proliferation of video clips.According to a meta-analysis of digital health, platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are an important part of the entertainment and communication of today's youth.Through a personal processing algorithm, these services attract the attention of millions of children, who can spend an hour a day for more than 70 minutes continuously watching these things, according to the same research.

In the United States, TikTok users between the ages of 12 and 17 spend an average of one hour and 18 minutes per day on the application, while those between the ages of 18 and 24 spend an average of one hour and 15 minutes per day.strengthen;For others, constant, uninterrupted use limits endurance and tests test self-control.

The scientific report warns that automatic personalization and the lack of interruptions turn watching short videos into a potentially stressful experience.Instant gratification and a continuous stream of incentives can make young people spend more and more time and energy on these platforms, crowding out other activities necessary for their development.

Documented effects on mental health and development

Scientific evidence highlights the link between high consumption of short films and various mental health problems in minors.Various studies cited in the meta-analysis have identified negative effects on concentration, impulse control and sleep quality in people who use these substances heavily.

A review of 71 studies with around 100,000 participants unveiled a modest link between intense use of these platforms and reductions in the attention span and behavioral prevention.The intense changing and emotional nature of short videos can interfere with brain stability and relaxation needed for sleep, often leading to insomnia and social anxiety.

These sleep problems can affect mood, memory, and resilience, creating a cycle that is difficult to break, especially in children who are under social or family stress.Additionally, frequent exposure to other users on social media encourages unrealistic comparisons to their ideal lives, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem in some teens.However, recent studies have not found a direct link between the use of short videos and physical deterioration, although they have found an increase in stress.

These conclusions coincide with the perspective of Steve Chen, who warns that the lack of regulation and control can transform short videos into a silent risk factor for the emotional and cognitive balance of the new generations.