Technically, 2022 saw massive improvements in global internet infrastructure, making the "download" part of the equation faster than ever. Digital 2022: Global Overview Report - DataReportal
The year 2022 was defined by the absolute dominance of platforms like , Instagram Reels , and YouTube Shorts . These services popularized a "scroll-first" culture, where the .mp4 file—once a standard for full-length movies—became the vessel for 15-to-60-second clips that could go viral in hours.
The average human attention span dropped to roughly 8 seconds , forcing creators to capture interest immediately.