Tech Tip: Short Form vs. Long Form Content
April 6, 2026
By Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kristina O’Connor
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’ll just spend five more minutes on my phone,” and then you realize it’s been over an hour?
Has your child ever asked you for “just five more minutes” of a game on a device, and those five minutes turn into thirty?
You aren’t imagining things, and this isn’t simply a willpower problem.
Science now tells us that short-form video platforms are literally designed to make stopping feel impossible, and the effects on our brains are real and measurable.
A 2025 study analyzing nearly 100,000 people found that heavy short-form video use (think TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube shorts) is directly linked to weaker attention, poorer memory, and reduced self-control.
The good news? Research is equally clear about what works. Long-form content (think full TV episodes, movies, documentaries) builds the brain rather than depleting it. Long-form storytelling develops empathy, emotional resilience, and builds understanding of character, plot development, and vocabulary development.
The next time you or your children start scrolling or watching video shorts, think about your brain, and instead choose to devote a designated time to a family movie (with popcorn!).
