From TV to TikTok: Overwhelm of Short Form Content

Every generation faces a wave of technology that sparks both excitement and fear. From television’s “zombie effect” warnings in the 1950s to today’s concerns over TikTok and infinite scroll, tech anxiety is hardly new. Yet while the platforms evolve, the core challenge remains: balancing connection with well-being. By tracing the history of media panics, we can see patterns that help us respond more wisely today: choosing mindful, sustainable digital habits rather than falling into cycles of fear or overuse.