The rise of short-video platforms, particularly TikTok, has significantly changed adolescents’ patterns of information consumption. Although various studies have examined the effects of social media on mental health, research that specifically links the intensity of TikTok short-video consumption to emotional exhaustion in adolescents remains limited. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the intensity of TikTok short-video consumption and emotional exhaustion in adolescents by synthesizing findings from previous research. The method used is a literature study with a narrative literature review approach. Data were obtained from scientific journals, articles, and academic publications relevant to TikTok, short videos, social media fatigue, information overload, and emotional exhaustion in adolescents. The review’s results indicate that high intensity of TikTok short-video consumption can increase the risk of information overload due to continuous and personalized exposure driven by the platform’s algorithmic systems. This condition fosters the emergence of social media fatigue, characterized by digital boredom, reduced concentration, and decreased psychological energy. In addition, psychological factors such as Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and social comparison further strengthen the relationship between TikTok use and emotional exhaustion. These findings show that the impact of TikTok use on adolescents extends beyond entertainment and social interaction and also affects psychological well-being. This study contributes conceptually by explaining the mechanisms linking TikTok short-video consumption and emotional exhaustion through the pathways of information overload and social media fatigue, and it underscores the importance of digital literacy and digital wellbeing as preventive measures to protect adolescents’ mental health.