YouTube Adds a Timer for You to Stop Scrolling Shorts
Ever found yourself opening YouTube Shorts for “just one video” and ending up watching for an hour? You’re not alone. To help curb endless scrolling, YouTube adds a timer for you to stop scrolling Shorts, a new feature designed to promote healthier viewing habits and reduce screen fatigue.
Image Credits:Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket / Getty Images
A Smarter Way to Manage Your Shorts Time
The new Shorts timer allows users to set a daily time limit for their viewing within the app’s settings. When the limit is reached, YouTube displays a pop-up reminding you that scrolling is paused. While users can still dismiss the prompt, it’s a clear nudge to step away from the endless stream of content.
This feature aims to balance engagement and well-being — a smart move as social platforms face growing scrutiny over addictive design practices.
Tested and Confirmed: The Feature’s Origins
Earlier this year, Android Authority spotted hints of the feature inside an Android APK. YouTube later confirmed that it was actively testing time-limit tools for Shorts consumption. Now, with its official release, users can directly manage how long they engage with short-form videos each day.
Not Yet Linked to Parental Controls
Currently, YouTube’s Shorts timer isn’t tied to parental controls. This means parents can’t yet set time limits for their kids’ Shorts sessions. However, YouTube says that integration is coming next year — and when it does, children won’t be able to dismiss those “time’s up” prompts so easily.
Building on YouTube’s Digital Well-Being Features
The new timer isn’t YouTube’s first attempt at digital well-being. The platform already includes “Take a Break” and “Bedtime” reminders, both meant to combat doomscrolling.
-
Take a Break: Lets users set reminders at intervals (15, 30, 60, 90, or 180 minutes). Once the reminder appears, the video pauses until you decide whether to continue watching or exit the app.
-
Bedtime Reminders: Allow users to define a window of time for winding down. When bedtime arrives, YouTube notifies them to stop watching and rest.
These earlier tools helped users gain control over their screen habits — but the new Shorts timer feels more targeted, especially given how quickly short-form videos can consume attention spans.
Encouraging Healthier Viewing Without Sacrificing Engagement
By introducing this new timer, YouTube is signaling that user well-being matters. Yet, since reminders remain optional, it’s also clear the company doesn’t want to drastically cut engagement. This approach allows YouTube to appear responsible while still keeping users within its ecosystem.
Still, it’s a step toward more mindful consumption, especially for those seeking to balance entertainment and productivity.
Why This Matters for Viewers
Shorts have become one of YouTube’s biggest growth engines, competing directly with TikTok and Instagram Reels. As consumption rises, so do concerns about overuse. By allowing users to self-regulate, YouTube’s new timer for stopping Shorts scrolling could enhance the platform’s reputation for promoting digital wellness.
Ultimately, YouTube seems to recognize that sustainable engagement requires healthy boundaries — and this timer is a small but meaningful step in that direction.
Post a Comment