Research shows that swiping through online videos causes boredom

According to research published in the journal ‘Swiping through online videos to relieve boredom’, it may actually make people more bored and less satisfied or engaged with the content. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.

The study involved seven experiments with a total of more than 1,200 participants from the United States or students at the University of Toronto. In two baseline experiments, participants switched from one online video to another when they were bored, and they predicted that they would feel less bored by switching videos rather than watching them in their entirety.

However, the study found that digital switching — watching short clips of videos or fast-forwarding through them — actually bored people more, said lead researcher Katy Tam, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Toronto.

“If people want a more enjoyable experience when watching videos, they can try to focus on the content and minimize digital switching,” Tam said. “Just like paying for a more immersive experience at a movie theater, there’s more enjoyment to be had from immersing yourself in online videos rather than swiping through them.”

In a two-segment experiment, all participants watched a 10-minute YouTube video without the option to fast-forward. In another segment, they were free to cycle through seven five-minute videos within 10 minutes.

Participants reported feeling less bored when watching one video and found the viewing experience more satisfying, engaging, and meaningful than when watching between videos.

Another experiment produced similar results, with participants watching a 10-minute video in one segment, but being able to fast-forward or rewind 10 minutes in a 50-minute video in another segment.

“As people go digital, online video content may seem meaningless because they don’t have time to watch or understand the content,” Tam said.

Watching short videos on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook or other online media platforms is a common pastime as people spend more and more time on their smartphones. Many people do everything they can to avoid the restless or empty feelings that are often caused by boredom.

Previous research has shown that to avoid boredom, people will hurt others for pleasure, shop impulsively, self-shock, hold extreme political views, or engage in counterproductive behavior at work.

This study did not examine whether short attention spans contributed to increased boredom or digital switching. Because participants in several experiments were Canadian college students, findings may vary by age or experience with digital media and may not be representative of the U.S. population.

While many people are quick to reach for their smartphones when waiting in line or riding an elevator, previous research has shown that smartphone use increases boredom and undermines enjoyment in social situations. Switching digital may be a related source of boredom, which can have negative consequences for mental health.

Chronic boredom is associated with depressive symptoms, anxiety, sadistic aggression and risk-taking behavior, Tam said.