YouTube Adds Zero-Minute Shorts Limit Option

YouTube has introduced a new option in its mobile app that allows users to set a daily viewing limit of zero minutes for Shorts, effectively disabling the platform's short-form video feed to address growing concerns over screen time. The feature, which began rolling out to all users worldwide on Android and iOS devices in April 2026, builds on existing time management tools and gives individuals greater control over their exposure to the addictive format.

The update expands a Shorts feed limit first announced in October 2025, when users could set timers ranging from 15 minutes to two hours. At that time, the tool paused the feed after the selected duration and displayed a reminder notification. In January 2026, YouTube extended the feature to parental controls via Google Family Link, enabling guardians to restrict access for supervised teen and child accounts, with a promise of a zero-minute option to come. Now available to all regular adult and teen accounts, the zero-minute setting hides the dedicated Shorts tab and removes short videos from the home feed upon activation. Users attempting to scroll encounter a fullscreen message stating they have reached their limit for the...