Q&A for How to Stop Being a YouTube Addict

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How do I stop being addicted to the internet?

Chloe Carmichael, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Author of Nervous Energy
Chloe Carmichael, PhD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who runs a private practice in New York City. With over 12 years of psychological consulting experience, Dr. Chloe specializes in relationship issues, stress management, self-esteem, and career coaching. She has also instructed undergraduate courses at Long Island University and has served as adjunct faculty at the City University of New York. Dr. Chloe completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York, and her clinical training at Lenox Hill Hospital and Kings County Hospital. She is accredited by the American Psychological Association and is the author of “Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety” and “Dr. Chloe's 10 Commandments of Dating.”

Chloe Carmichael, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Author of Nervous Energy

Expert Answer

Carve out a specific amount of screen time each day rather than pulling out your phone constantly. A happy medium could be writing down all the errands and curiosities you'd like to search online in a notebook, and then giving yourself an hour later on to explore everything on the list.

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Question

What happens when I watch YouTube for 9 hours?

Community Answer

You strain your eyes, concern others about your welfare, lose a big chunk of your life and confirm that you have a problem.

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Question

If I don't watch YouTube all the time, but I watch it a lot, is it a problem?

Community Answer

If you feel like your YouTube habits are a problem, they likely are. If watching YouTube gets in the way of other aspects of your life, like meeting deadlines, doing chores or getting enough sleep, follow the steps in this wikiHow to stop being an addict.

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Question

I have depression and I watch YouTube all day long to feel happy. Is this helping it or making it worse?

Community Answer

More likely, making it worse. It feels good in the moment to escape or be entertained, but you're really just avoiding living. It's very important to take good care of yourself, to exercise, and to do more active (as opposed to passive) activities. Check out How to Deal with Depression and How to Protect Your Mind With Brain Foods for some useful guidelines.

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Question

My seven year old sister is addicted to watching Popular MMOs and says "SHUT UP!" whenever I try to talk to her while she is watching. Is that a problem?

Community Answer

I think it is a problem if the videos are making her behave aggressively. Sometimes kids get into media too early because they have no activities or "challenges" in their life. Maybe you and your family members could spend more time with her and do some offline activities. The time you´ll spend together will show her different opportunities and improve her social skills. You might also tell her (when she's not distracted by videos) that it hurts your feelings when she tells you to shut up.

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Question

I start with watching educational videos, but I always end up watching entertainment videos. What should I do?

Community Answer

Whenever you see a video that you want to watch that is not educational, drop your electronic device immediately. I understand exactly what you do. I often browse on YouTube for crafts, DIYS, and healthy meals. When you have the urge to watch a new video, try focusing on another task or hobby like exercise, TV, painting, or reading.

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Question

How long does it take to no longer be addicted to YouTube?

Community Answer

It depends on your. If your addiction is in the early stages it, it will take less time to stop yourself. If your addiction is been going on for a long time, then it can take a while. The Chrome web store has extensions that may help you, namely TimeWarp and StayFocused.

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Question

Am I addicted to YouTube if I watch it in my free time?

Community Answer

No, addiction is when you constantly do something to the detriment of other things. If you can stop whenever you want, you're not addicted.

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Question

What can a 15 year old do to curb their addiction?

Community Answer

Go outside and find something to enjoy. Try to set a challenge for yourself (e.g. not watch for a day or only watch 2 short videos) and do something else.

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Question

What's a reasonable amount of time that can be spent on YouTube (just leisure browsing)?

Community Answer

A limit of 30-minutes is probably reasonable.

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Question

Am I an addict if I watch YouTube while doing other things?

Community Answer

It depends. Are you always watching YouTube while doing other things? Do you feel like you can't stop watching YouTube? It might be a good idea to take a YouTube break for a while if you're concerned. I also don't recommend watching YouTube while doing other things, because when you do that you're not giving your full attention to the task at hand.

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Question

How can I stop listening to YouTube while I sleep?

Community Answer

Try listening to white noise instead, such as the sound of a fan, rain, etc.

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Question

How can I reduce the time I spend on YouTube?

Community Answer

Set a timer for yourself and turn of YouTube for the day as soon as it goes off. If there are more videos you want to watch, save them for tomorrow.

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Question

Is 2 hours a days watching YouTube videos excessive, or normal?

Community Answer

That depends on whether you feel that you're learning during this time, or if it could be better spent. If you feel like it's excessive, then you may want to scale back. If you're comfortable with it and no other areas of your life are going neglected, then enjoy.

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Question

I use YouTube a lot for educational videos, but when I open it I see a bunch of useless things and get distracted very quickly. How can I only watch these useful videos, not the distracting ones?

Community Answer

Search questions you have on Google and select the "Videos" option just under the search bar. This will show you videos available on YouTube related to the subject you'd like to learn about and you can bypass YouTube's main menu.

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Question

How can you stop this behavior after 7 years? Hobbies make me feel frustrated because of lack of skill, or because they don't feel as satisfying as zoning out.

Community Answer

Have someone put your YouTube page under parental controls so when you try to watch a video you get blocked.

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Question

What do I do if everything makes me bored except for YouTube?

Community Answer

Try out a new activity that you've always wanted to try, and really give it a chance. Your brain is used to the stimuli of YouTube, and that's why you find everything else boring right now, but if you slowly stop using YouTube and start doing other things, you'll find it gets a lot easier.

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Question

How do I not get tempted when watching YouTube for education to watch something else?

Community Answer

Before starting up the educational video, crop your window so you can't see the side bar with video suggestions. Or you can turn on theater mode, helping you concentrate more on what your watching rather than what's on the side. After watching the video, quickly close or exit the tab so you stop temptations before they start.

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Question

How can I delete my YouTube history?

Community Answer

All you need to do is go to your watch history and press delete all.

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Question

How should I stop making contents if I am a YouTuber (creator) and I have many subscribers?

Community Answer

Announce your end of YouTube content sharing to your viewers and subscribers with a video telling them that you are respectfully leaving, and how grateful you are to have spent time sharing ideas with them. After that, I wouldn't delete the account, because all you hard work will be gone, just stop using it. if you're not sure you can trust yourself to do that, ask someone you trust to change the password for you and not tell you what it is.

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Question

Whenever I watch YouTube too long, I get a headache. Is this a problem?

Community Answer

It's not uncommon. Try to limit your YouTube time to a half hour at most, then take a break to rest your eyes, and come back to it later.

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Question

How can I make my younger brother stop watching inappropriate videos on YouTube?

Community Answer

Find a way to block YouTube and other inappropriate content by using a complicated password.

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Question

I've tried to block YouTube on my computer, but it never works. I still keep looking at YouTube. It's starting to drive me crazy. How do I stop?

Community Answer

Blocking doesn't necessarily work for everyone. Since it doesn't work for you, don't allow yourself more screen time than is absolutely necessary to complete your work. Set a deadline and an alarm clock. Once it rings, shut everything down immediately and leave. If you didn't work enough because YouTube distracted you again, make no excuses. Let the lesson sink in, understand the magnitude of the damage, and try to do better the next day.

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Question

How can I block YouTube on Safari in my phone?

Community Answer

Go to Settings > Restrictions > Websites > Add youtube.com. You can also delete the app.

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Question

How do I stop watching a particular YouTuber?

Community Answer

Unsubscribe from his channel. If that is not enough, you can download a Chrome extension called Video Blocker to block that person's videos.

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Question

What can I do if I feel excessively depressed and sad when I try to stop watching YouTube?

Community Answer

Breathe and reflect about why are you sad and depressed. Maybe something else is making you feel like that and you've been using YouTube as an escape. Try distracting yourself with healthier hobbies, like reading a book.

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Question

I'm socially awkward and I watch YouTube all day long to feel entertained. Is this helping it or making it worse?

Community Answer

It makes it worse. It pushes you more into your comfort zone, and the deeper you are, the tougher it is get out of it.

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Question

How do I stop watching YouTube?

Community Answer

A very simple way is to block YouTube on your computer or mobile phone. If not, you can hide it from the homescreen of your smartphone. Also, you can make it a habit to not watch YouTube. Try it for 3 days, and you will automatically not fell the urge.

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