TU Graz study finds short videos pose risks for people with ADHD
Thursday 8th October 2026 on 13:30 in
Austria
Short-video platforms can make it harder for people with ADHD to track time and stop scrolling, according to a study by Graz University of Technology reported by ORF. Researchers found that participants with ADHD often stayed online longer than intended and later felt the time had not been well spent.
The study, led by Elisabeth Lex of the university’s Institute of Human-Centered Computing, included 302 participants. People with and without ADHD rated the videos recommended to them as relevant to their interests, but reported different effects from watching them.
Participants with ADHD described a pronounced loss of time awareness while scrolling. Many said they had put off important planned tasks and experienced a decline in mood after closing the app. Lex said recommendation systems designed to maximise engagement could place a disproportionate emotional and behavioural burden on people with ADHD.
Participants also said they wanted practical ways to avoid spending longer than planned on short-video apps. Suggestions that attracted interest included setting a maximum number of videos per session and displaying the time spent watching. Lex called on developers to design systems that support users’ wellbeing, awareness of time and ability to control their use.
Platforms including Meta, TikTok and Google have faced criticism over design features and recommendation systems that critics say may encourage compulsive or addictive use. In the United States, Meta and Google were ordered to pay six million dollars in damages in a ruling in March 2026; TikTok and Snapchat reached out-of-court settlements with the plaintiffs.
The European Commission has also preliminarily found TikTok, Instagram and Facebook in breach of the Digital Services Act over design it considers addictive. The features under scrutiny include infinite scrolling, autoplay and push notifications, which the commission said could harm the mental and physical health of minors and vulnerable adults.
TU Graz said the study will be presented at the International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility in Portugal in late October. It has been nominated for a Best Paper Award.