YouTube will help you quit watching Shorts

YouTube has added a new Shorts feature that makes it easier to manage how much time you’re spending watching videos. Mobile users can now set a customizable daily limit that restricts how long they can scroll Shorts feeds, aiming to help viewers better manage their time instead of endlessly scrolling.

When a user reaches their time limit, they will receive a notification saying Shorts has been paused for the day. This notification is dismissible, however, so it’s on the user to honor these self-imposed restrictions. Instagram and TikTok both provide similar optional screen time limits, though TikTok is the only service that expands this to web users.

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

The option to set and adjust custom time limits for Shorts can be found within the YouTube account settings. YouTube says it’s “beginning to roll out” starting today, so it may take a while to appear for all mobile users. YouTube says it’s also planning to expand this feature to parental controls “later this year” to proactively manage kids’ screen time, and that these limit notifications will be non-dismissable.