Be it TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or any other short form video format, they all have one thing in common — you can’t just watch one quick clip and then hop off.
This is especially true after you’ve used the platform for a while, and the algorithm knows the type of content you like to consume. With YouTube offering a robust suggestions system through the accounts you subscribe to and your viewing habits, the same algorithm extends to YouTube Shorts as well, creating a perfect content rabbit hole for you to fall into.
YouTube likely has data on this, and realizes that users struggle to leave Shorts once they start scrolling. That is precisely why the streaming giant is now beginning to roll out a daily limit timer for the Shorts feed on mobile.
Parental timer controls are coming soon too
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.
Announced by the company in a new support post today, the new timer can be accessed via the app’s Settings. Although not explicitly mentioned, the timer will likely show up in the app’s ‘General’ settings, alongside toggles for ‘Remind me to take a break’ and ‘Remind me when it’s bedtime.’ The timer hasn’t rolled out for me just yet, so I can’t confirm the exact placement.
Once users reach their set limit, they’ll see a “dismissible prompt” telling them that scrolling on the Shorts feed has been paused for the day.
Elsewhere, while not integrated just yet, YouTube did say that it will add the Shorts timer to parental controls later this year, giving parents the option to make the alert non-dismissable for their kids.
Has the new timer rolled out for you? Let us know in the comments below!
