New YouTube feature could end doomscrolling
A new YouTube feature reportedly coming in the next Android app version could help users stop doomscrolling YouTube Shorts for long periods.
As TikTok faces a potential ban in the United States, short-form video apps likeYouTubeShorts and Instagram Reels have worked tirelessly to improve their platforms in hopes of luring users over, should the ByteDance-owned app get fully banned.
YouTube has added the option forthree-minute videosand is working on makingan in-app video editor,while Instagram Reels is testinga new way to make videos privateand even addinga pause button on videos.
Now,Android Authorityhas discovered a new feature in the next Android app version that could save you from doomscrolling the app for long periods of time.
YouTube begins testing daily app timer
According to the Android-focused publication, a teardown of the latest beta app reveals new sections of code that detail a dedicated daily timer for scrolling YouTube Shorts.
The feature appears to be designed to pause scrolling once the daily limit has been reached, which is set by the user. According to the site, however, you’ll still be able to watch single Shorts videos that appear elsewhere on the platform.
This includes videos on the recommendations page or on your favorite creator’s channel.
It’s unknown when, or if, YouTube will ever roll out this feature to users on Android – but it’s clear that they’re interested in at least trying it out.
For those looking to set a daily timer on TikTok, the ByteDance owned app already has the option to make that happen. Just go toSettings > Screen Time > Daily Screen Timein the app to set it.
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In an effort to protect child safety, however, users between the ages of 13 and 17 will have the setting on by default for one hour of daily screen time.
