YouTube has introduced a new feature aimed at helping users manage their time spent on Shorts, its popular short-form video format. Beginning now, users can set daily time limits for viewing Shorts, a move designed to encourage healthier scrolling habits and enhance user control over their viewing experience.
The new time limit feature allows users to customize how many minutes or hours they wish to spend on Shorts each day. Once this designated time is reached, a notification will alert users that their Shorts usage has been paused for the day. Although users can dismiss this notification, the responsibility to adhere to the set limits ultimately lies with them. This initiative follows a trend among social media platforms, with similar features already available on Instagram and TikTok.
YouTube emphasizes that Shorts play a significant role in its overall user experience. In an official statement, the company highlighted the importance of allowing users to discover content purposefully while maintaining awareness of their viewing habits. “Setting a scroll limit makes it possible to discover content in a targeted manner without losing track of your own time,” the statement read.
Gradual Rollout and Future Developments
Currently, this feature is being rolled out gradually in the YouTube mobile app, and it may take time before all users have access to it. Users can activate and adjust this feature through their account settings. YouTube also announced plans to integrate the time limit function into its parental controls later this year. This enhancement will enable parents to monitor and regulate their children’s screen time more effectively. Notably, once the limit is reached in parental controls, users will not have the option to dismiss the notifications, ensuring stricter adherence to the established limits.
As the digital landscape evolves, YouTube’s initiative reflects a growing awareness of the need for balance in online consumption. By giving users the tools to limit their time on Shorts, the platform aims to foster a healthier viewing environment while maintaining its position as a leader in the rapidly expanding short video market.
