Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

Not How Long, But What You See: Repetition and Fatigue in Short-Video Consumption

Yingrui SongShanghai Starriver Bilingual School*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Short-video platforms such as TikTok and YouTube engage users through algorithmic recommendations and infinite scroll interfaces but often leave them feeling mentally fatigued. This study examines the cognitive and emotional mechanisms behind this post-use exhaustion, focusing on demographic differences, viewing duration, and content repetition. Drawing on instant gratification and flow theories, a cross-sectional survey of 152 participants assessed boredom and fatigue after short-video use. Results showed significant effects of gender (p = .024) and age (p = .0017), with younger and female users reporting higher fatigue. Session duration did not predict exhaustion (p = .23), whereas exposure to repetitive content and videos from the same author strongly predicted fatigue (F = 63.4, p < .001, R² = .46). These findings suggest that user fatigue stems less from screen time and more from algorithmic homogeneity that limits novelty. The study refines models of instant gratification by identifying cognitive saturation—not duration—as the key mechanism of digital exhaustion, offering implications for ethical platform design and digital well-being.

Keywords: fatigue; homogeneity; algorithms; gratification; duration
Published: November 5, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.NS29205
Volume: CHR Vol.91
pp. 55-61
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