YouTube will help you stop watching short videos

YouTube has added a new short video feature that makes it easier for you to manage the amount of time you spend watching videos. Mobile users can now set a customizable daily limit that restricts how long they can scroll Shorts, with the goal of helping viewers better manage their time instead of scrolling endlessly.

When the user reaches their time limit, they will receive a notification that Shorts videos will be paused for the day. However, this notice is rejected, so it is the user’s responsibility to respect these self-imposed restrictions. Instagram and Tik Tok Both offer similar optional limits on screen time, though TikTok is the only service that extends these limits to web users.

“Shorts are an essential part of the YouTube experience,” YouTube said in its announcement. “Setting a time limit for scrolling in the Shorts feed allows for this exploration while helping users be more thoughtful about their viewing habits and manage their time effectively.”

The option to set and edit custom time limits for short videos can be found within your YouTube account settings. YouTube says it’s “beginning rollout” starting today, so it may take some time to roll out to all mobile users. YouTube says it also plans to expand this feature to include parental controls “later this year” to proactively manage children’s screen time, and that these limited notifications will not be ignored.