YouTube has introduced a control that lets users set Shorts exposure to zero minutes, effectively disabling short-form video content in the feed and reducing doomscrolling behavior on mobile platforms.
Initially launched in October, YouTube’s Shorts limit feature only allowed a minimum threshold of 15 minutes, triggering a break reminder once users reached that viewing cap.
In a subsequent update earlier this year, YouTube integrated the functionality into its parental control suite, giving guardians the ability to enforce viewing limits, while signaling plans to introduce a zero-minute threshold.
The Shorts timer is now available to all users, not just parents. Adult accounts can set the limit to zero minutes, though a notice may appear stating, “Scrolling is paused but you may still see individual Shorts.” Users may also need to refresh the app for the changes to fully take effect.
Users can disable Shorts by accessing the Settings panel in the YouTube mobile app, navigating to “Time management,” and locating the “Shorts feed limit” under the “Daily limits” section.
For users who prefer not to disable Shorts completely, alternative limits are available, with the maximum cap set at two hours.
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