Short-Form Video Media Use Is Associated With Greater Inattentive Symptoms in Thai School-Age Children: Insights From...

Short-form videos, characterized by fast-paced and high-arousal content, may have unique effects on children's attention development distinct from other forms of media. However, their impacts remain underexplored, especially in school-age children, a critical period for prefrontal circuitry's maturation.

This study examined the association between short-form video media use and inattentive behaviors among school-age children, drawn from both clinical and nonclinical samples, while also exploring the associations with hyperactive-impulsive and oppositional-defiant behaviors as secondary outcomes.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Thailand between November 2023 and March 2024. Participants included guardians of children aged 6-12 attending outpatient vaccinations and child psychiatric clinics. Inattentive behaviors and secondary outcomes were assessed using the parent-rated Thai version of the SNAP-IV short form. Generalized linear models examined their associations with short-form video media use, adjusted for covariates such as total screen time, demographic data, parenting practices, and parental mental wellbeing.

The analysis included 528 participants, with 11.6% previously diagnosed with ADHD. Short-form video media use was significantly associated with higher inattentive behaviors. The association was stronger among younger participants. No significant associations were found with hyperactive-impulsive or oppositional-defiant behaviors, although total screen time remained significantly associated with these outcomes.

The observed association between short-form video media use and inattention, together with the significant negative interaction with age in this school-age sample, adds to the growing literature on the neuropsychiatric impacts of the media and underscores the needs for studies on mechanisms and long-term impacts.