In 2008, the average human attention span was 12 seconds. Fast forward to 2025, and many studies suggest it’s now hovering around 8 seconds, shorter than that of a goldfish. It’s no coincidence that during this same period, social media platforms surged to dominate how we consume content. Whether you’re watching a 7-second TikTok or swiping through Instagram Stories, today’s digital experiences are designed to capture attention instantly, and just as quickly, let it go. This article unpacks the data behind our fragmented focus, helping readers understand how platforms, content formats, and user behaviors intersect to shape the modern attention economy. Editor’s Choice The average human attention span has declined to 8.25 seconds in 2025, down from 9.2 seconds in 2022. Users now spend just 1.7 seconds on average viewing a piece of content on mobile before deciding whether to engage or scroll past. YouTube Shorts saw a 118% year-over-year increase in engagement in the first …