According to Appota's "Digital Entertainment Demand 2024-2025" report, Vietnamese people spend an average of 70 minutes per day watching full-length videos on YouTube and nearly 60 minutes per day watching short videos – mainly on the social media platform TikTok.
Trends in social media and journalism.
Another survey shows that Vietnamese users prefer videos under 3 minutes in length, with many young people even watching short clips under 1 minute.
According to reports, not only TikTok – the most popular short-video platform in Vietnam with over 67 million users – but also most major social networks like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have integrated short-video features. Most recently, the domestic platform Zalo also launched Zalo Video with an accessible interface and many other advantages, although it is not yet as attractive as cross-border platforms.
The explosion of short videos on social media has prompted even news organizations to get involved. For example, VnExpress recently launched VnE-GO, dedicated to posting short videos, and VietnamPlus has a Short Video section...
Many users are increasingly spending time on this type of content, simultaneously changing their habits of consuming information and entertainment online. "I only intended to browse the internet for a few minutes before bed, but ended up getting hooked on countless short videos about movies, food , or pranks on TikTok and YouTube," said Ms. Hong Minh (Ho Chi Minh City), adding that browsing short videos has become a hard-to-break habit.
Similarly, Phuong Thao, a marketing employee in Hanoi , is also addicted to watching online videos. "On weekends when I don't have to work, I can watch short videos for 8-10 hours a day. Sometimes I watch but don't remember the content, just skimming through a few seconds before moving on to another video. Since becoming addicted to this type of video, I've noticed a significant decrease in my memory and concentration," Thao admitted.
Social media users are drawn to short videos not only by their captivating nature but also by the fear of missing out on "hot trends" and falling behind. Furthermore, short videos often provide quick updates and get straight to the point, giving users a sense of time-saving. However, the allure of short videos leads them to watch one after another, resulting in significantly increased time consumption.
Over-reliance on short videos can cause users to lose focus and become distracted from their work.
The "trend-following" generation
Not only adults, but children are also affected by the proliferation of short videos online. Ms. Hoang Thu Hang (Ho Chi Minh City) recounts that her 4-year-old daughter frequently says meaningless phrases that she doesn't understand, mostly imitating things from TikTok, such as "ram ram bread," "tung tung tung sahur," etc. "Sometimes I think she's reciting a magic spell!" - Ms. Hang worried.
According to technology experts, short videos meet the immediate entertainment needs of young people, especially the need to see something new and instantly funny. Generation Z and Y users tend to follow trends relentlessly, even if the content lacks meaning or real value. "Quick entertainment causes many people to lose control of their time, thinking they'll only watch a little and then turn it off, but ultimately letting hours pass unconsciously," one expert stated.
Recent studies show that excessive use of short videos is causing serious consequences for users' cognitive abilities, mental health, and physical well-being. According to a 2023 scientific report by a research group in China, TikTok users have significantly lower intended memory performance compared to users of other platforms, indicating that the short video format clearly impacts concentration and memory retention.
Several other studies in China during 2023-2024 also indicated that short-form video addiction is directly linked to anxiety symptoms, sleep disorders, and reduced academic performance, especially among students – a group easily drawn to watching entertaining clips, leading to academic procrastination.
Le Hong Duc, founder of OneAds Digital, argues that the problem lies not in the type of news but in how users interact with it. According to him, the recommendation algorithms of TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reels are trapping users in a loop of rapid content consumption. Each swipe, each video lasting a few dozen seconds, is designed to keep viewers engaged for as long as possible, forcing the brain into a "watch - forget - scroll again" reflex, leaving little time for thought or critical analysis. "If we don't realize this, we are allowing algorithms to reprogram our attention habits," Duc warned.
To break free from this cycle, tech experts recommend that users set daily time limits for watching short videos, only follow channels with real value such as skill-building, language learning, content creation, etc., and actively seek out content instead of just watching suggestions. For children, parental involvement is crucial to guide them in distinguishing between quality content and clickbait or fake content, preventing them from being drawn into pointless news.
However, responsibility also lies with the platforms and regulatory bodies. Technological solutions are needed to moderate and suggest safer and more appropriate content for young people.
TikTok is accused of recommending child pornography.
Global Witness, a non-governmental organization specializing in investigating and combating exploitation and abuse, has just released research showing that TikTok's algorithm directs child users to pornographic content through search suggestions.
To conduct the study, Global Witness created seven TikTok accounts, declaring the users' age as 13 – the minimum age to join TikTok. These completely new accounts were created on phones that had been factory reset and had no search history to ensure they were not influenced by previous viewings.
As a result, 3 out of 7 accounts were suggested pornographic content on their first use of TikTok. For the remaining 4 accounts, after only a few uses of TikTok, the platform began suggesting inappropriate content.
H. Duong
Source: https://nld.com.vn/nhieu-he-luy-khi-nghien-luot-video-ngan-196251007214610618.htm
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