YouTube has finally rolled out an update that allows every user to completely eliminate the Shorts feed by setting a daily time limit of zero minutes. This change marks the latest step in the platform’s efforts to address concerns over excessive screen time and addictive scrolling behaviors associated with short-form video content. The ability to turn off shorts has slowly been rolling out, but The Verge has confirmed all YouTube users can now turn off shorts.
The feature builds on an earlier Shorts feed timer introduced in late 2025, which initially permitted users to cap their daily scrolling at intervals starting from 15 minutes up to two hours. At that time, the tool focused primarily on encouraging more mindful viewing habits by pausing the feed once the selected duration was reached and displaying a reminder notification. Early versions emphasized voluntary use, particularly for adult accounts seeking better digital wellness. By early 2026, YouTube expanded the capability through parental controls for supervised accounts, giving guardians the ability to enforce limits on teens and children, including the promise of a zero-minute option to fully restrict access.
As of April 15, 2026, the zero-minute setting has become available to all users worldwide on both Android and iOS versions of the YouTube app. When activated, it effectively hides the dedicated Shorts tab and prevents short videos from appearing in prominent positions on the home screen. Users who reach their limit—set at zero in this case—encounter a simple message indicating that the feed has been paused for the day, with no further scrolling possible until the following period resets. This creates a clean separation between long-form video content, which remains fully accessible, and the rapid-fire vertical videos that have driven much of the platform’s recent growth.
To enable the restriction, individuals open the YouTube app and navigate to their profile icon in the bottom right corner. From there, they tap the settings gear, select the time management section, and locate the Shorts feed limit option. Toggling it on reveals a range of choices, culminating in the new zero-minute selection. The process takes only a few seconds and applies immediately across the mobile experience. YouTube representatives have described the tool as a flexible aid for anyone looking to reclaim time and reduce unintentional binge sessions, whether for personal productivity, family routines, or focused learning sessions.
This development arrives amid broader industry conversations about the psychological effects of infinite scrolling platforms. Short-form videos, popularized by competitors like TikTok, have been linked in various studies to shortened attention spans, disrupted sleep patterns, and challenges in maintaining sustained focus, especially among younger audiences. YouTube’s Shorts, launched several years ago as a direct response to those trends, quickly amassed billions of daily views but also drew criticism for contributing to habitual overuse. By offering users direct control over this specific feed, the company positions itself as responsive to feedback from parents, educators, and health advocates who have called for stronger built-in safeguards rather than relying solely on external app blockers or manual discipline.
This development arrives amid broader industry conversations about the psychological effects of infinite scrolling platforms. Short-form videos, popularized by competitors like TikTok, have been linked in various studies to shortened attention spans, disrupted sleep patterns, and challenges in maintaining sustained focus, especially among younger audiences. YouTube’s Shorts, launched several years ago as a direct response to those trends, quickly amassed billions of daily views but also drew criticism for contributing to habitual overuse. By offering users direct control over this specific feed, the company positions itself as responsive to feedback from parents, educators, and health advocates who have called for stronger built-in safeguards rather than relying solely on external app blockers or manual discipline.
Please add Cord Cutters News as a source for your Google News feed HERE. Please follow us on Facebook and X for more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord cutting tech support? Join our Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help.