Hajra Naz
We’ve all done it — opened YouTube Shorts for “just one video” and ended up scrolling for an hour. To help with that, YouTube is adding a new timer feature that lets users set a daily limit on how long they can watch Shorts.
This update shows that YouTube is responding to public pressure to make apps healthier to use — and it also helps the company prevent user burnout over time.
How the New Timer Works
Users can now set a daily time limit in the YouTube app settings. Once you hit your limit, you’ll see a pop-up that pauses your Shorts feed.
You can still dismiss the pop-up if you want to keep watching — but it’s meant to remind you to take a break.
YouTube first started testing this feature earlier this year after developers found signs of it hidden inside Android app files.
Parental Controls Coming Soon
For now, the Shorts timer doesn’t connect to parental controls, so parents can’t yet set limits on their kids’ scrolling time.
However, YouTube says this will change next year. When parental controls are added, kids won’t be able to dismiss the time-limit pop-ups anymore.
Other Tools for Digital Well-Being
This isn’t YouTube’s first step toward promoting healthier viewing habits. The app already includes tools like “Take a Break” and “Bedtime Reminders.”
-
Take a Break: Users can set reminders to pause after 15, 30, 60, 90, or 180 minutes. The video stops, and users can either dismiss the reminder or close the app.
-
Bedtime Reminders: Lets you set a time window for when you want to stop watching and get some rest. Once that time hits, YouTube sends a gentle notification reminding you to go to bed.
These tools show YouTube’s effort to appear more responsible, even if they don’t fully stop people from watching.
Read More: YouTube Rolls Out Features to Help Teens Find Mental Health Content
Growing Pressure on Social Media
While YouTube promotes digital well-being, social media companies are facing growing legal challenges.
A Bloomberg Law report says nearly 2,000 lawsuits are currently active in the U.S. against social media platforms. Families, schools, and state officials claim that these apps are intentionally addictive and can harm children’s mental health.
With the new Shorts timer, YouTube may be trying to balance both sides — keeping users engaged while also showing concern for their digital health.
FAQs
Q1: What is YouTube’s new Shorts timer feature?
It’s a tool that lets you set a daily limit for how long you can watch YouTube Shorts before a reminder appears.
Q2: Can I dismiss the reminder and keep watching?
Yes, for now, you can dismiss the pop-up and continue watching, though parental controls will eventually make it non-dismissible for kids.
Q3: Is this timer available for everyone?
Yes, the timer feature is available through the YouTube app settings for all users.
Q4: Are parental controls part of the feature yet?
Not yet, but YouTube says parental controls will be added next year so parents can manage their kids’ screen time.
Q5: What other tools does YouTube offer to manage screen time?
YouTube also has Take a Break and Bedtime Reminders to help users control how long they spend watching videos.
