Alex O’Connor explains why banishing Shorts to a separate app saves mindful streaming and the platform.
What once began with short videos on Vine has gradually become an omnipresent trend. Short, easy-to-consume clips have long since made their way to YouTube in the form of Shorts, clashing with the platform’s longer, more in-depth content. Due to this development, YouTuber Alex O’Connor recently sparked a heated debate: He calls for a radical separation of Shorts and traditional videos, arguing that the current integration is causing massive harm to media culture.
Social Media as the Modern Cigarette
British content creator Alex O’Connor, known as CosmicSkeptic, is speaking out about what many users and creators have been feeling for a long time: The seamless integration of YouTube Shorts is destroying the platform's traditional user experience. In a widely noticed post, he argued that short-form videos should be relegated to a completely separate app to relieve the platform.
O’Connor’s main criticism centers on the format's addictive potential. While traditional, long-form videos are often chosen deliberately and mindfully, Shorts entice users into endless, mechanical scrolling. This "doomscrolling" effect reflects a worrying general trend in our society. Experts figuratively view platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels as the modern cigarette: they generate artificial dopamine hits, making them highly addictive. However, instead of nicotine, specially optimized algorithms are at work here, systematically shortening our attention span. As a result, users consume content for hours without retaining actual information or even remembering the videos they watched afterward. According to the content creator, the permanent availability of these short clips right on the homepage also undermines the intention to consume in-depth content.
Furthermore, many traditional YouTubers complain that the algorithm heavily favors Shorts. This clutters the user interface and dilutes the feeds of channels known for high-quality documentaries or essays. Separating them into two standalone apps would reenable users to consciously choose their type of media consumption - either quick, fleeting entertainment on the go or focused viewing of high-quality content.
What is your take on short-form videos? Are they just harmless entertainment, or are their algorithms destroying internet culture and our attention spans? Let us know in the comments below!
