Behind The Scroll: The Relationship Between Short-form Media Consumption & Adolescent Cognitive Competence

Cognitive competence refers to the ability to process information and solve problems to effectively navigate the challenges of everyday life. With the increasing integration of short-form media platforms such as Tiktok, Instagram, and X into daily life, debates have intensified regarding whether excessive usage of these apps have a detrimental effect on the cognitive competence of adolescents. Despite the growing relevance of this topic, the influence of short-form media consumption on adolescent cognitive competence remains largely understudied. This study examines the possible effects of algorithmic systems commonly present in short-form media apps on adolescent neurological development and key components of cognitive competence, such as critical thinking, information processing, and attentional systems. The findings indicate a positive correlation between high short-form media consumption and effects on adolescent cognitive competence and development. However, it may be difficult to distinguish the specific effects of short-form media usage and naturally occurring neurological changes during adolescence. Future research should address this issue by including more longitudinal studies to clarify whether observed effects reflect typical adolescent development or the influence of short-form media consumption.