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Short-Form Videos Linked to Procrastination, Poor Sleep in College Students
New study finds students with lower self-control more likely to use TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts to procrastinate, negatively impacting sleep and stress levels.
Mar. 10, 2026 at 3:54am
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A new study from the University of Kansas has found that college students with lower self-control and stronger habits of using short-form videos like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are more likely to procrastinate by consuming these videos, which is associated with poorer sleep quality and higher stress levels. While the study did not find a direct link to lower grades, the researchers warn that problematic short-form video use can have detrimental effects on student well-being.
Why it matters
As short-form video platforms continue to grow in popularity, especially among young people, this research highlights the potential risks of excessive and procrastinatory use of these media. The findings underscore the need for colleges and society to provide more support and education around healthy media habits to help students manage stress and maintain good sleep hygiene.
The details
The study, published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, surveyed over 500 students at the University of Kansas and Boston University. Researchers found that students with lower self-control were more likely to use short-form videos as a way to procrastinate, often driven by a desire to escape, be entertained, or feel a sense of belonging. This procrastinatory video use was then linked to poorer overall sleep quality, including trouble falling asleep, waking up frequently, and poor daytime functioning. While no direct link was found between procrastinatory video use and lower grades, the researchers warn that the negative impacts on sleep and stress could still undermine academic performance over time.
- The study was published on March 10, 2026.
The players
Yunwen Wang
An assistant professor of journalism and mass communications at the University of Kansas and an author of the study.
Danny Yihan Jia
A co-author of the study from Boston University.
What they’re saying
“Very few students, only two in a classroom of over 100, went to bed before 10 p.m. I thought that was a very alarming moment, especially concerning how TikTok and YouTube shorts are gaining in popularity.”
— Yunwen Wang, Assistant Professor, University of Kansas
“We found that the lower the self-control, the more likely the students will develop procrastinatory short-form video use. And the motivation to enjoy, escape and feel socially connected also contributed to the procrastination behavior. Ultimately, the more procrastinatory short-form video consumption, the higher the stress level and the worse the sleep health among these students.”
— Yunwen Wang, Assistant Professor, University of Kansas
What’s next
Researchers and universities plan to further study the impacts of short-form video use on student well-being and explore ways to promote healthier media habits.
The takeaway
This study highlights the need for colleges and society to provide more support and education around managing the use of short-form video platforms, which can negatively impact student sleep, stress levels, and potentially academic performance if left unchecked.
