In an effort to encourage better digital habits and lessen the incessant scrolling that keeps people glued to their computers, YouTube has introduced a new feature that allows users to set daily scrolling limits for Shorts. Users may choose how long they want to watch Shorts each day before being reminded that it’s time to take a break thanks to this feature, which is being rolled out gradually across iOS and Android devices.
The new addition to YouTube’s growing suite of digital wellbeing tools comes at a time when short-form video content has become one of the most addictive forms of entertainment online. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have transformed how people consume media, offering quick bursts of entertainment that can easily stretch into hours of viewing without notice. YouTube’s latest update aims to put more control back in the hands of users by helping them manage their time more intentionally.
Under the new system, users can set a daily limit for Shorts by going into their YouTube app settings, specifically under “Time watched” or “Digital Wellbeing.” YouTube notifies the user that they have reached their daily limit and advises them to take a break when the selected time has passed. Although the reminder is now dismissible, YouTube has hinted that non-dismissable limitations for supervised or teen accounts may be included in future versions. This makes the reminder a useful tool for parents and guardians who want to encourage their children to adopt better online practices.
For now, the feature is optional and depends more on self-control than on limitations. Nonetheless, in an environment where users’ attention can be readily dominated by short-form information, its existence is a significant step toward digital self-awareness. People can use the notification as a time to think things through and determine if they really want to continue watching or go on to something else.
This rollout couldn’t have come at a better time . YouTube has placed a greater emphasis on user welfare and responsible participation, particularly as the short-form market becomes more competitive. YouTube is setting itself apart from competitors and addressing long-standing worries about excessive screen use and its consequences on focus, productivity, and mental health by providing integrated tools for screen time management.
Apart from being advantageous for individual consumers, the new function may also have a subtle effect on content creators’ design. In order to immediately grab attention, artists may need to concentrate even more on quality and engagement as audiences may watch fewer Shorts in a single sitting. It might change the experience for frequent viewers from a passive scroll to a more deliberate process of only viewing content that genuinely interests them.
This move also represents a larger change in the way internet businesses view user attention: they no longer view it as an unbounded resource to be exploited, but rather as something precious that deserves respect. YouTube’s move to impose daily scrolling limitations is in line with international discussions about responsible consumption and digital wellbeing.
Although the feature is still rolling out and may not yet be visible to everyone, it’s worth checking your YouTube settings to see if you have access. Regaining control over your internet time can be as easy as setting a fair restriction, whether it’s thirty minutes, an hour, or more.
