YouTube Introduces New Feature to Stop Endless Scrolling on Shorts
Ever opened YouTube for “just one quick video” and found yourself still scrolling 45 minutes later? YouTube knows that story all too well. That’s exactly why the platform has introduced its new Shorts Timer feature a built‑in time limit tool designed to help you stop before your eyes glaze over from one too many dance clips or cooking hacks.
What the New Feature Does
In plain terms, the Shorts Timer lets you set a daily viewing limit for Shorts. Once your chosen time runs out, the scrolling literally stops. The feed pauses, and a message pops up, politely reminding (or guilt‑tripping) you that your limit for the day is over. You can still override it, but it creates that small friction point that makes you think, “Do I really need to watch one more cat reacting to cucumbers?”
It’s similar to YouTube’s earlier “Take a Break” reminders but a bit tougher, less of a gentle nudge, more of an actual speed bump in your viewing habits. The feature rolls out for mobile users first, with parental control support coming soon, so parents can stop kids from saying “just one more short” for the tenth time.
Why it Matters
This isn’t just about productivity; it’s about digital well‑being. YouTube’s move comes amid growing pressure on social platforms to address “doomscrolling,” a modern habit that’s both oddly soothing and mentally draining. Psychologists call it the “scroll trap”: your brain craves tiny bursts of novelty, and short videos deliver them by the second.
Personal confession? Last month I lost an entire lunch break to cake‑decorating videos. I don’t even bake. So yes, this feature might actually save people from themselves (myself included). Think of it as a little timer that says, “Enough dopamine for one day.”
How To Use It
Turning it on takes about 15 seconds:
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Open the YouTube app.
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Tap your profile icon → Settings → General.
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Select Shorts Timer (or under “Digital Wellbeing” in some versions).
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Pick your daily limit 15, 30, 60 minutes, or custom.
Once you hit that limit, the feed fades out, and you get the subtle but satisfying message that it’s time to take a breather. Maybe stretch. Maybe call that friend you’ve been meaning to. Or, you know, open the long‑form side of YouTube for a change.
It’s a small tweak, sure, but one that feels surprisingly humane a gentle reminder from an app that maybe, just maybe, we’ve had enough scrolling for today.
Disclaimer: Feature availability may vary by region and device. Users can override the timer if desired.
