Short videos are everywhere—on Douyin, Bilibili, YouTube Shorts, and more. We open an app for two minutes, and an hour disappears. Some of us feel guilty afterward. Some of us have found clever ways to stay in control. This week, let's stop judging ourselves and start sharing what actually works. What are your practical tips, tools, and rules for watching short videos without losing your time, sleep, or sanity?

Discussion Questions:

1. On average, how much time do you spend on short-video apps each day? Do you usually watch during certain times—like meals, bedtime, or breaks? Has this habit changed over the past year?

2. Do you use any tools or methods to stop yourself from scrolling too long—like screen time limits, app timers, or a simple alarm? If yes, which one works best for you? If not, why not?

3. Some apps allow you to turn off personalized recommendations. Have you ever tried this? How did it change your experience—was it better, worse, or just different?

4. There is a difference between watching a few thoughtful videos and endlessly scrolling through random clips. How do you tell the difference? When do you feel like you are watching, and when do you feel like you are just scrolling?

5. How do you feel after a long scrolling session—energized, numb, informed, or regretful? Have you ever tried to replace some of that time with another activity? What happened?

6. If you could give only one piece of advice to a friend who wants to spend less time on short videos, what would it be? It could be a tool, a mindset shift, or a daily rule.

7. Interactive Element: Find someone who has a very different watching style from yours. Ask them how they developed that habit, and share one thing you learned from their answer.

1-3 hours on holiday. I tend to watch them when I am alone or take break. But I didn't watch them for such a long time on the weekend when I was a high school student,  because the weekends were so short and there was homework to handle. 

I didn't calculate it before. But maybe 1-3 hours.

I usually watch them when I rest or do exercises.

I used to do that, but I finally gave up. Because the control needs self-awarness.

Yes, but seems there is no difference whether I turn off it.

When I wanna relax myself, I'll choose short-videos scrolling. But when I have big patch of time like when exercising or walking outside, I tend to listen to courses videos like German or Spainish languages course videos.

I use the Digital Balance, a system function in my mobile phone, to limit my scrolling time, but it failed because I always wanted to watch more. Such tools wouldn't work without users' self-awareness. So I am trying to make an app that raises users' awareness rather than just set limitation.

I'm scrolling when i can't control myself from seeing more even though i want to stop.

5. How do you feel after a long scrolling session—energized, numb, informed, or regretful? Have you ever tried to replace some of that time with another activity? What happened?

The alternative I choose is watching long animations, like  BOCCHI THE ROCK, a Japanese anime I watched recently. It's not only more relaxing than scrolling, but also gives me a sense of fulfillment.

6. If you could give only one piece of advice to a friend who wants to spend less time on short videos, what would it be? It could be a tool, a mindset shift, or a daily rule.

Just do what you truly want to do