If you’ve ever lost track of time scrolling through YouTube Shorts, you’re definitely not alone. With over 70 billion views per day, it’s easy to get sucked in — but Google might finally be doing something about it. A recent beta version of the YouTube app suggests a new feature is on the way: a dedicated daily timer specifically for Shorts.

Spotted by Android Authority in version 20.15.32 beta, the feature seems designed to curb endless swiping. Unlike the usual “Take a break” reminder, this new timer would track how long you’re scrolling through Shorts and pause the feed once you hit your set limit. You won’t be completely cut off though — individual Shorts that pop up in search or your homepage will still be viewable.

This move shows Google might be starting to take the downsides of binge-scrolling seriously. Studies have linked short-form video overuse to stuff like distraction and poor focus, so it makes sense to give users more control. There’s no official launch date yet, but if it makes it through testing, the timer could be a small step toward healthier screen habits — without fully killing the fun.

Main image: pexels.com

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