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

Abstract

Background: 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. Objective: 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. Designs, Settings, and Participants: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.