Cognitive distraction in the digital age: effects of short-form video on students’ academic attention

Objective The rapid expansion of short-form video platforms, including Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, has transformed digital engagement among students. This study examines the relationship between problematic short-form video use and academic inattention among higher education students.Method A quantitative survey was conducted with 405 undergraduate and postgraduate students in Bengaluru, India. Problematic short-form video use was conceptualised as a higher-order construct comprising frequency of use, emotional dependence, and compulsive behaviour. Academic inattention was operationalised through reduced focus, increased distractibility, and mental fatigue. Data were analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling (SEM), with assessment of construct reliability, convergent validity, and model fit.Results Problematic short-form video use showed a significant positive association with academic inattention. Emotional dependence emerged as the most influential dimension, while compulsive behaviour exhibited a positive but statistically non-significant effect.Conclusions The findings indicate that problematic engagement with short-form video content is associated with increased distraction, diminished focus, and mental fatigue in academic contexts. The study highlights the importance of digital well-being initiatives and attention management strategies in higher education.