youtube shorts won't stop scrolling guide

TL;DR

If YouTube Shorts won't stop scrolling, combine in‑app tools, OS‑level Screen Time, and browser extensions. Replace doom‑scroll triggers with intentional habits.

• In‑app: tune Not Interested, Subscriptions‑first, hide topics
• Screen‑time: daily limits, downtime windows, app timers
• Extensions: hide Shorts shelves, thumbnails, recommendations
• Habit loop: reduce triggers, add friction, add replacements

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Why Shorts feels unstoppable

YouTube Shorts is optimized for variable rewards, low friction swipes, and fresh novelty. The design compresses the cue→action→reward loop into seconds, which trains repeat behavior. Without constraints, the default outcome is infinite scrolling.

Step 1 — Clean up the feed (in‑app)

• Open a Shorts you don't want → tap the three‑dot menu → Not interested
• Long‑press creators you don't want → Don't recommend channel
• Prefer Subscriptions tab for intentional viewing
• On Home, actively click longer videos that match your goals to retrain the algorithm

Optional: Replace the entry points

• Move YouTube off your home screen
• Use the Library or Subscriptions tab as your primary entry
• For kids/teens, prefer supervised accounts or YouTube Kids

Step 2 — iOS Screen Time

• Settings → Screen Time → App Limits → Add Limit → Entertainment → YouTube → set 15–30 min/day
• Enable Downtime for evening hours
• Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access if you want strict sessions
• (Optional) Change App Limit passcode to a code only an accountability partner knows

Step 3 — Android Digital Wellbeing

• Settings → Digital Wellbeing → Dashboard → YouTube → set an App timer (15–30 min)
• Enable Bedtime mode or Focus Mode, exclude YouTube from allowed apps
• Use Flip to Shhh/Focus filters on supported devices

Step 4 — Browser extensions (Desktop)

• Unhook for YouTube: hide Home feed, Suggestions, Shorts shelves
• DeArrow: neutralize click‑baity thumbnails/titles
• Improve YouTube!: fine‑grained UI toggles, distraction‑free mode

> Tip: On m.youtube.com, use Reader‑style extensions or uBlock rules to hide Shorts containers.

Step 5 — Add friction to the loop

• Log out by default; force a sign‑in step when opening
• Turn off autoplay; reduce swipe gestures (use tap + back)
• Switch to a secondary device/browser with no YouTube app installed

Step 6 — Create intentional replacements

Replace the 10–30s impulse with alternatives that still satisfy the need:

• Micro‑workouts (push‑ups, stretches)
• Short reading cards (Kindle Highlights, flashcards)
• 1‑minute journaling prompt
• Walk for two minutes

Step 7 — Environmental design

• Keep the phone outside the bedroom; use a physical alarm
• Disable push notifications for YouTube
• Use grayscale mode in late hours

Step 8 — Community and accountability

• Share limits with a friend; screenshot weekly reports
• Use shared Focus modes in iOS/Android
• Track streaks for days without doom‑scrolling

Troubleshooting

• App limits feel easy to bypass → use a different passcode; ask a partner to set it
• Work requires YouTube → whitelist desktop only; block mobile
• Night cravings → enable Downtime + disable Wi‑Fi at router for devices

Minimal setup checklist

• [ ] iOS App Limit or Android App Timer set to 20 minutes
• [ ] Unhook installed on desktop; Shorts hidden
• [ ] Notifications off for YouTube
• [ ] Replacement habit picked (e.g., 1‑minute journal)

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If 'youtube shorts won't stop scrolling' resonates, start with one lever today: timer, extension, or replacement habit. Iterate weekly based on your reports.