1.1 Lack of self-control

Self-control refers to the process of self-regulation and restraint by individuals to prevent their goals, thoughts, psychology and behaviors from deviating from their own abilities and social expectations, and ultimately achieve self-restraint and self-management. Self-control has a very good restraining ability for some bad behaviors of middle school students, such as addictive behavior, impulsive behavior, procrastination, etc. At present, self-control is an important psychological quality that middle school students are extremely lacking, especially now that most families are only children. Under the care of the elderly and parents since childhood, middle school students have very poor self-restraint ability, cannot withstand setbacks and failures, and cannot withstand temptation. Due to the simple production process, rich content, and strong topicality of mobile short videos, coupled with the weak self-control ability of middle school students, they often indulge in them without external constraints.

1.2 The influence of herd mentality

Herd mentality refers to the habit of people following the thoughts or actions of most people. It is a very common social psychological phenomenon, usually known as the "herd effect". Secondly, herd mentality is ubiquitous in real society and is a very important way for human individual socialization. In the context of school, middle school students have a strong sense of group belonging, and good peer relationships will enhance this sense of belonging, which is of great significance and role in their study and life. When most of the classmates know about mobile short video apps, such as Kuaishou, Douyin, Xigua Video, etc., and often talk about production techniques or the content in them, if you don’t know, you will feel that you have no common topics and cannot integrate into them, which will prompt middle school students to actively understand and watch mobile short videos so that they are not out of touch with the group. This herd mentality has greatly increased the probability of middle school students being addicted to mobile short videos to a certain extent.

1.3 Desire for self-expression

Self-expression is a human nature, which means showing or promoting one's own advantages to make oneself more prominent. However, Chinese people have always been low-key and humble since ancient times. If they are too ostentatious, they will be despised or pointed at. Therefore, many people will suppress this nature of their own. Middle school students are at a critical stage of building their self-identity and becoming independent. They begin to have a strong sense of adulthood and are eager to express themselves, to be noticed, and to be recognized by others. On mobile short videos, people are shooting jokes, showing off their talents, and sharing their lives. Almost no one criticizes or directs this kind of self-expression. Everyone can put aside their concerns and enjoy themselves in time, which makes them feel satisfied to a certain extent. Therefore, mobile short videos provide middle school students with a platform to show themselves and liberate their nature, satisfying their eagerness to express themselves, making them addicted and getting deeper and deeper.