decivex

No need to be toxic about it. Do you think anyone who disagrees with you is automatically an asshole?

Other than that, there's plenty that's changed other than the existence of short-form content, with everything going on in the world right now people are more stressed than ever. And stress is definitely one thing that reduces attention spans.

Not saying that that is the solution but it's definitely one explanation and in my view it's more likely than what's basically just the equivalent of 'phone bad'.

Doesn't mean it's caused by short-form content. It's kinda annoying seeing that repeated everywhere without evidence imo.

It looks like that study checked the effects of short-form content addiction, rather than short-form content in general. Addiction can be caused by underlying factors, such as stress or depression, which are shown to reduce attention span so I don't think it really shows a direct causal connection. In fact, I think it's more accurate to say short attention spans cause short-form content rather than the other way around.

That said, excessive social media consumption can make stress and depression worse, I just think we're focussing on the wrong aspect of social media's effect on our mental health.

I don't think there's actually any evidence that short-form content reduces people's attention spans.