[idle_zealot]

Classic "self regulation" of an addictive product. "You look like you might have a problem with self-control, here are tools for managing yourself better" while admitting no fault and continuing with all of the hooks and barbs, design and advertising built to addict as many people as possible.

[alex1138]

Real name? No? We'll ask again later

[jiveturkey]

Well played. I don't think many remember this. The product was completely forgettable but the introduction of this user hostile pattern was a turning point.

[natpalmer1776]

What was this referencing?

[berdario]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymwars

[natpalmer1776]

Thank you!

[trinsic2]

You sure you don't want to add your phone number? I makes verification easier next time you want to upload a video.

[alex1138]

I was referring to Google+. I don't know if you mean something else like Facebook, which is no less abusive than Google+ ever was

People seemed to like Google+ but a) nymwars lead to dangerous situations (although no less dangerous than Facebook's graph search) for people that don't want to reveal their real names but also b) the merging of accounts ruined some people's Youtube channels. Zuckerberg is so much of a control freak that I suspect (based on evidence I've vaguely heard, not just my own intuition) links to Google+ used to get deleted. It used to be the case people liked it but they "couldn't get their friends to use it". So yeah - in part, inertia; but also what if you linked it and nobody saw it in the feed?

[trinsic2]

I know. I was joining in on the joke, I think I just made that one up though. Im pretty sure youtube asks that If you upload a video and don't have a phone number on file

[alex1138]

Sorry!

[jldugger]

Technically I think it's for parents to regulate their kids.

[idle_zealot]

Yeah, it's pretty broad consensus that the Chinese opium epidemic was really on the parents. 19th century Chinese parents really dropped the ball there, and no further considerations or blame should be placed.

[Carrok]

I'm confused why you're bringing up parents and kids. Are you implying only children might have problems with self-control wrt media consumption?

[jldugger]

No, I'm implying Google faces liability after that court case and is using this as a fig leaf to blame parents.

[misnome]

> The feature was expanded in January to give parents some control over how long their kids spend scrolling through Shorts,

[jval43]

My parents are retired. How exactly do they come into play?

I'm actively avoiding Shorts, Reels, and whatever else with those mechanics precisely because they pull you in and snap an hour is gone with nothing of value to show for it. It's so totally different from regular long form videos.

We regulate addictive substances too, even for adults and without relying on parents. The amount of productivity and quality of life lost to these platforms must be staggering in aggregation.