Many people want to prevent their children from watching TikTok and see YouTube as a safer solution, but realize YouTube Shorts are just as harmful.
Robert Verderese, a stock trader in New Jersey, was fed up when his 14-year-old son was glued to his smartphone watching short videos all day. Instead, he directed his children to YouTube - where there are longer videos to reduce phone addiction.
But on YouTube, Verderese's son immediately fell in love with Shorts - a short video feature similar to TikTok. The boy didn't even hear his father asking him to put down the phone even though he wasn't wearing a headset.
“I said I would give you $1.000 if you look up and answer me now. But it took at least a few seconds for it to look up and ask: What is it?” Verderese recalled.
YouTube Shorts is considered an addictive feature no less than TikTok. Illustration: WSJ
Verderese's son often turns to YouTube for video tutorials on how to play the game. However, instead of spending time on long and detailed content, he mainly watches Shorts for reference. In addition, Shorts is also a place for him to entertain, to the point of forgetting to eat or sleep.
Verderese emailed Google complaining and asking if it was possible to disable the Shorts feature on the platform, or at least limit it. YouTube has not yet responded to Verderese's letter.
YouTube used to be a favorite place for teenagers with long and meticulous videos in many fields, from knowledge to entertainment. Many parents ban their children from watching TikTok, advocating switching to YouTube as an alternative.
However, two years ago, YouTube announced Shorts, which works like TikTok. One study found that watching short videos can hurt children's attention, making it difficult for them to engage in activities that don't provide immediate gratification – an effect known as the "TikTok Brain".
Long videos are still available on YouTube, but short videos are the main attraction on the platform. As announced by YouTube last month, Shorts with a maximum duration of 60 seconds attract more than two billion users logging in each month, up from 1,5 billion a year ago.
Some parents say their kids used to be able to adjust their YouTube viewing time, but now can't take their eyes off short videos. Research from Guizhou University of Finance and Economics (China) and Western Michigan University (USA) found that short-form YouTube Shorts, TikTok or Facebook Reels videos make it difficult for viewers to stop because of "short-lived thrills". – factors that easily develop into addictive behavior.
YouTube spokesperson Ivy Choi said research into the impact of short video content on young people is "still in its early stages" and the company is "monitoring it closely".
Gloria Mark, a computer science professor at the University of California, Berkeley, says that constantly watching fast-paced videos can make other things boring. This causes a range of learning problems, such as not being able to focus on slow-paced activities like doing schoolwork or reading.
Scott Migliori, a financial manager in Mill Valley, California, said he couldn't come up with a compelling reason to say YouTube Shorts was the cause of his 14-year-old son's loss of interest in reading over the past six months. But when he saw his son immersed in the short video, he felt more insecure than ever.
“I used to worry that my son might be addicted to games. But now I no longer think that, even recommending my children to play Fortnite ", Migliori said. “In my opinion, games have less negative effects on the brain because at least it is social and involves teamwork, as opposed to watching short videos alone.”
According to him, young people no longer have the patience and are "pre-programmed for instant gratification".
According to Professor Mark, the best way parents can limit children's viewing of short videos is to set realistic goals for them in life, or at least create opportunities for them to get out more. This keeps kids from getting caught up in endlessly scrolling short videos.
According to WSJ/VNE
