<p> Sleep procrastination is increasingly recognized as a prevalent self-regulation problem among college students. Excessive engagement with short-video platforms has been linked to this behavior, yet the underlying psychological mechanisms remain underexplored. This study examined the associations between problematic short-video use and sleep procrastination among college students and investigated the mediating roles of anxiety and rumination in this relationship. A cross-sectional survey design was employed using purposive sampling. A total of 528 undergraduate students from universities in Fujian, Guangdong, and Zhejiang provinces completed validated measures of problematic short-video use, anxiety, rumination, and sleep procrastination. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation analyses and regression-based mediation and sequential mediation analyses to examine direct and indirect associations. Problematic short-video use was positively associated with sleep procrastination. Anxiety and rumination each independently mediated this association. In addition, a sequential mediation pathway was identified, such that problematic short-video use was associated with higher anxiety, which was subsequently related to greater rumination and higher levels of sleep procrastination; all indirect effects were statistically significant, as indicated by 95% bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals. These findings advance understanding of the associations between problematic digital media use and maladaptive sleep behaviors by highlighting the interplay between emotional distress and repetitive negative thinking. Interventions targeting media literacy, anxiety reduction, and rumination management may represent promising strategies for reducing sleep procrastination among college students. Educational institutions may consider incorporating self-regulation and mental health training into student support programs.</p>