Quality and reliability of short-form videos on gaming disorder: a comparative analysis of Douyin and Bilibili

Short-form video platforms are increasingly used to obtain health information, yet the quality of gaming disorder–related content remains uncertain. This cross-sectional study compared 300 eligible videos from Douyin ( n = 109) and Bilibili ( n = 191) using the Global Quality Scale, modified DISCERN, Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials, Journal of the American Medical Association benchmark criteria, and an eight-domain content coverage score. Bilibili videos had significantly higher scores across all quality, reliability, understandability, actionability, transparency, and content coverage measures (all P < 0.001), and more frequently covered definition, etiology, risk factors, assessment methods, treatment approaches, and prevention strategies. On Bilibili, video duration was positively correlated with GQS, DISCERN, and PEMAT-understandability scores, whereas most engagement measures were not associated with quality. In multivariable analysis, Bilibili platform (B = 5.732, 95% CI 4.477–6.988), longer video duration (B = 2.090 per 1000 s, 95% CI 1.031–3.148), and professional uploader status (B = 2.378, 95% CI 1.347–3.409) were independently associated with higher DISCERN scores. The platform-by-duration interaction was not significant ( P = 0.119). These findings highlight substantial platform differences in the quality and comprehensiveness of gaming disorder–related health information.