Watching short videos before bed may not only impair sleep quality but also contribute to daytime fatigue. This is the conclusion reached by researchers in China who studied the link between problematic short-video consumption and symptoms of insomnia among college students, according to a study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.
The authors analyzed data from 6,691 students in central China. The survey was conducted twice at three-month intervals: participants answered questions about their short-video viewing habits, sleep difficulties, daytime fatigue, mood, and reduced productivity.
The study revealed a bidirectional relationship: excessive use of short-form video platforms predicted an increase in sleep problems three months later, but the reverse effect was even stronger. People who felt tired, lethargic, or had a worsened mood during the day due to poor sleep were more likely to lose control over their video viewing and use it as a way to quickly relieve tension or boredom.
According to the researchers, daytime fatigue acts as a kind of “bridge” between insomnia and problematic use of digital platforms. Lack of sleep reduces self-control and the ability to resist instant gratification, while short videos offer a simple and almost effortless form of emotional release. As a result, a person may start watching videos again in the evening, fall asleep later, and feel even more tired the next day.
The authors note that short-video platform algorithms reinforce this cycle: a personalized feed holds the user’s attention, and the user often underestimates how much time they have already spent watching. Difficulty falling asleep proved to be a particularly significant factor, as it can trigger a persistent habit of delaying sleep.
For businesses and the digital services market, this study is important because it highlights not only the power of engaging algorithms but also the growing demand for digital well-being. Apps, educational platforms, employers, and healthcare services will increasingly take into account the impact of nighttime screen time on users’ productivity, mental health, and quality of life.
The researchers emphasize that the problem is not simply a matter of “weak willpower.” When a person sleeps poorly and feels tired during the day, their ability to control impulses decreases, and digital entertainment becomes the most accessible way to achieve short-term relief.
