This phenomenon occurs in most ages, and it is worrying that it affects children and adolescents.
In many families, grandparents and parents themselves are also attracted to short videos, so it is understandable to let young children get acquainted, play and surf social networks for many hours.
Studies around the world have shown that the long-term consequences of short video addiction are the decline in deep thinking ability and patience, users gradually form low patience, reduced communication skills, weakened immune systems, increased risk of chronic inflammation and anxiety disorders, depression.
The problem is not only in the harmful effects of short videos on health and spirit, but also in the harmful content of these short videos. In fact, short videos with positive content, moderate dosage and controlled use by users are a necessary and valuable way to convey information.
However, the work of controlling content on network platforms still has many loopholes, inadvertently creating conditions for a large number of nonsensical, negative videos to spread, even being exploited to defame, insult individuals, organizations and incite violence.
In Vietnam, addiction to short videos, accessing toxic content is no longer a risk but has become real with a very high rate of using YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Threads... Especially Threads is emerging among young people with content that deliberately causes controversy, inciting to increase interaction.
The efforts of functional agencies have also partly been effective when continuously requiring platforms to remove bad and toxic content from short videos. However, a stronger mechanism is still needed. The Law on Network Security, the Law on Information Technology and current Decrees need to have timely adjustments with the development of technology.
Recently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism consulted on the draft Decree amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP on management, provision, and use of internet services and online information with the important content of restricting children under 16 years old from participating in social networks, which is also considered an effort to prevent the impact of toxic content on the younger generation.
But above all, everyone must have a "self-protection" mechanism by choosing content, regulating time on social networks, and building other healthy habits such as reading books and exercising.
As for young people, family plays an important role. The example of adults, being more attached to interacting with children and limiting the use of social networks. The purpose is to avoid toxic short videos, avoid long-term consequences.
