College Students Struggle to Focus on Films

Neuroscience explains why long-form content feels "excruciatingly long" for a generation raised on short-form media

Jan. 30, 2026 at 10:47am

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A recent report in The Atlantic highlighted that even film students - those ostensibly dedicated to the art of cinema - are finding it difficult to sit through movies. This isn't a simple case of youthful impatience; it's a fundamental shift in how a generation accustomed to constant stimulation processes information. Researchers explain that years of exposure to short-form video have rewired neural pathways, prioritizing rapid dopamine hits over sustained attention.

Why it matters

This trend has significant implications for education, entertainment, and the future of storytelling. Universities are grappling with ways to 'retrain' students' attention spans, while the entertainment industry is adapting content to cater to fragmented audiences. There are concerns that the ability to engage in deep, sustained focus could become a rare and valuable skill.

The details

Studies have shown that the average attention span on a computer has shrunk from 2.5 minutes in 2004 to just 47 seconds in 2023. This isn't a moral failing; it's a neurological response to the environment. Constant switching of tabs and apps carries a cognitive cost, as the brain must re-orient itself with each switch, leading to mental fatigue and reduced comprehension.

  • In 2004, the average attention span on a computer was 2.5 minutes.
  • In 2023, the average attention span on a computer was just 47 seconds.

The players

Dr. Gloria Mark

A researcher at UC Irvine who has demonstrated the decline in average attention span on computers.

Akira Mizuta Lippit

A professor at USC who explains that if a person's body and psychology are not trained for the duration of a feature-length film, it will feel "excruciatingly long".

Rick Warner

A professor at UNC who is deliberately assigning challenging, slow-paced films to 'retrain' students' attention spans.

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What they’re saying

“I can imagine that if your body and your psychology are not trained for the duration of a feature-length film, it will just feel excruciatingly long.”

— Akira Mizuta Lippit, Professor

The takeaway

This trend highlights the need for education and entertainment to adapt to the changing attention spans of audiences. Educators are exploring new strategies to engage students, while the entertainment industry is experimenting with content that caters to fragmented attention. The ability to focus deeply may become a valuable skill in the future, leading to a renewed emphasis on mindfulness and digital detoxes.