1. Welcome to NoFap! We have disabled new forum accounts from being registered for the time being. In the meantime, you can join our weekly accountability groups.
    Dismiss Notice

How to Stop YouTube Addiction

Discussion in 'Self Improvement' started by AceTrainerGreen, Sep 23, 2018.

  1. AceTrainerGreen

    AceTrainerGreen Fapstronaut

    8
    22
    3
    How to Stop YouTube Addiction :emoji_tv:
    [​IMG]

    Here are several actions you can do immediately. By installing these extensions for your PC and mobile, you can DRASTICALLY reduce the amount of time you spend on YouTube.

    Table of Contents :emoji_book:
    #Table of Contents
    #Personal Computer
    #Related Extensions
    #Mobile Phones
    #Why YouTube is Addictive
    #TL;DR

    If you’re on PC, press Ctrl + F and enter #[Topic].

    #Personal Computer :emoji_computer:
    I recommend installing this extension called Distraction Free YouTube.
    This allows you to disable the front page, remove video suggestions, remove the subscription bar, and so much more.

    You can go from this:

    [​IMG]
    To this:

    [​IMG]
    And from this:

    [​IMG]
    To this:

    [​IMG]
    #Related Extensions :emoji_robot:
    1. uBlock Origin — Disables Ads
      Chrome
      Firefox
    2. PopperBlocker — Disables Pop Ups
      Chrome
      Firefox
    3. Facebook Feed Eradicator
      Chrome
      Firefox
    4. Reddit — Removes News Feed — Chrome
    #Mobile Phones :emoji_iphone:
    Unfortunately, despite installing an extension such as this, YouTube’s mobile version still gives you lots of distractions. For example, the video suggestions are still there. Thankfully, there are 3rd party, open-sourced YouTube applications that can prevent you from doing that.

    The one I’m using right now for my Android phone is called NewPipe.

    You can go from this:

    [​IMG]
    To this:

    [​IMG]
    And from this:

    [​IMG]
    And this:

    [​IMG]
    To simply this:

    [​IMG]
    Other Reasons to Install NewPipe
    1. If you support privacy, the app is built for it.
    2. It’s open sourced.
    3. No more YouTube ads.
    4. You can play videos outside of the app.
    5. You can download videos.
    6. And soooo much more.
    NewPipe — A free lightweight YouTube frontend for Android \(Open Source\) • r/privacytoolsIO

    Side Note: If you want to enter into the rabbit hole, you can check out the other 3rd party app called Vanced. Both are great; I use both.

    #Why YouTube is Addictive :emoji_fearful:
    The corporate goal of YouTube is to increase their profits by making your stay on their website as long as possible. The longer you stay, the more ads they can give you. (Unless you have something like uBlock Origin and PopperBlocker. See #Related Extensions.) To do this, engineers at Google invest billions of dollars in creating algorithms to exploit your psychological blind spots. One of the many blind spots would be the intense desire for novelty. By intentionally creating video suggestions catered to your interests via fancy algorithms, it can become incredibly addictive to stay.

    You can learn more about this here, here, and here.

    If you’re short on time, I would recommend watching the first one. (Yes, it’s quite ironic that I’m linking you to videos to YouTube where the goal of this post is about trying to limit YouTube usage.)

    Another great feature of the recommended software is that it does not entirely constrict you. Many individuals have prescribed extensions such as StayFocused and ColdTurkey to block the page entirely; however, as a person who is somewhat tech-savvy, I can quickly remove it making the purpose of these programs in vain. With this, you can rapidly cut out the unnecessary suggestions while at the same time being able to access YouTube. This is not an absolute way to remove your addiction, but it will drastically help cut the amount of time you spend on the platform.

    Lastly, you can also disable YouTube from recording your watch history. It helps stops them from giving you suggestions.

    https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols

    I have been using many of the suggested software for much more than a year now, and I have never uninstalled it. I often only go to YouTube with purpose now. I usually don’t jump from watching a video learning about cell division to eventually footage of dank SpongeBob memes.

    #TL;DR :emoji_bookmark_tabs:
    To maximize profits, YouTube uses fancy algorithms to make your stay on the platform as long as possible through video suggestions. If you want to stay focused, install the browser extensions and the mobile application because it allows you to hide the front page, suggested videos, comments, and so much more. As a result, you can reduce your binge time.

    Here are the extensions:

    PC :emoji_computer:
    Mobile :emoji_iphone:
    Related Extensions :emoji_robot:
    1. uBlock Origin — Disabled Ads
      Chrome
      Firefox
    2. PopperBlocker — Disables Pop Ups
      Chrome
      Firefox
    3. Facebook Feed Eradicator
      Chrome
      Firefox
    4. Reddit — Removes News Feed — Chrome
    Lastly, you can also disable YouTube from recording your watch history. It helps stops them from giving you suggestions.

    https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols

    It has taken me many 10+ hours to create this post.

    If you found my post helpful, please leave a like. :emoji_thumbsup:
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2018
    Pauley, luke775, Aléxandros and 15 others like this.
  2. AceTrainerGreen

    AceTrainerGreen Fapstronaut

    8
    22
    3
    Thank you. I appreciate it. It took a long time to make this. I wanted to share resources that not many people know about and can definitely benefit from. Share the knowledge, ya know. :)
     
    boomin_business likes this.
  3. user10111

    user10111 Fapstronaut

    135
    155
    43
    Thank you for sharing this! Youtube is really addictive like instagram,Facebook,Whatsapp...etc i have become aware of this.
     
  4. AceTrainerGreen

    AceTrainerGreen Fapstronaut

    8
    22
    3
    I'm glad this helped you. Stay strong, fellow Fapstronaut. :)
     
  5. Fazetension

    Fazetension Fapstronaut

    15
    16
    3
    Just delete YouTube off you phone. Use an app called Liberate in which you can block the online version in safari.
     
  6. theBornAgain

    theBornAgain Fapstronaut

    129
    148
    43
    Thankl you so much. May Shiva bless you.
     
  7. theBornAgain

    theBornAgain Fapstronaut

    129
    148
    43
    I installed new pipe but the old Youtube application is still there I cannot delete it. Can you suggest ways to resolve this ? Also In mobile I have installed Spin browser which doesn't let me access adult content but when urges strike I bypass Spin by simply going to Google chrome and surf porn I cannot delete google chrome app. I have convinced myself that porn is bad till now I am relying on my will power. If you know any tricks that can help I would very much appreciate it.
     
  8. Qujing Shen

    Qujing Shen Fapstronaut

    23
    11
    3
    You're my new favourite person.
     
  9. harry287

    harry287 Fapstronaut

    142
    342
    63
    hi bro i am thanx to you for this wounderfull post.
    i have 1 problem i am in recovery today i complete 122 days from porn and masterbuation.
    but from 5 or 7 days i have very strong urges to watch pron and do masterbuation . i am scared i really dont want to ruin my recovery
    but my all desires and feeling trying me to do. i am really thanx to my higher power i am clean uptil now
    any solution please
     
  10. boomin_business

    boomin_business New Fapstronaut

    3
    3
    3
    awesome, thank you. just found this hidden gem, youtube is just another dopamine replacement in times of nofap
     
    Pauley likes this.
  11. What a High IQ post. @boomin_business thank you for rezzing this thread. I am completely addicted to youtube and these tips are very helpful. I recommend Ublock which lets you delete the recommended videos section.
     
  12. ruso

    ruso Fapstronaut

    Very cool guide!
     
  13. If you are somewhat tech-savy and have a well-supported phone, you could "root" it (google: "Root [your phone]" for information and possible instructions) so that you can install an app that will let you remove system apps like YouTube from your phone. You lose the warranty on your phone during this process! So if something goes wrong, you'll have to pay for repairs or a new phone yourself.

    As you said, willpower is very helpful and, after all, the quality that we want to attain and train... if you give in to your urges, a simple block is not going to stop you anyway. But it can provide some extra time for you to think and turn around. So whatever you decide to do, best of luck with your journey!
     
  14. Queek The HeadTakker

    Queek The HeadTakker Fapstronaut

    407
    687
    93
    I dont see youtube as toxic , i learned alot about very interesting subjects like the Roman Empire, Greek Empire, Achemenid Empire, Eastern Roman Empire, Cartaghe , Egypt , Britttania , The Normands , Goths, Visigoths,Huns,Timurids ,Mongols, White Huns, Kievan Rus , Saxons,Danes,Sassinids,Wallachians , Bulgars etc...... than with watching History Channel or another other channel where theg only put fake and stupid shows.... Youtube is a much betyer source for knowledge than TV , you just have to use it well
     
  15. That's also true. But for me the deeper truth is this: nobody needs it. It's nothing that one must use in order to live a good life in this world. You can use that time for other things. Reading for example.

    So I don't go there anymore. For now I'm just not using youtube. It's worth a try!
     
  16. Aléxandros

    Aléxandros Fapstronaut

    How can I entirely block Youtube on my mobile phone?
    have an Android and I still manage to use it as a site on chrome, despite I blocked the physical app.
    Thanks!
     
  17. Aléxandros

    Aléxandros Fapstronaut

    Anyway, I would like to see a post like this one even for apps like Instagram.
    Maybe we could block the feed and reels pages, and suggestions as well.
     
  18. Queek The HeadTakker

    Queek The HeadTakker Fapstronaut

    407
    687
    93
    Thats false , youtube is a very formidable platform to get news and be informed, learn, watch funny stuff, listening and viewing music etc......

    I dont like to read thats why i use youtube , to ger more knowledge , videos are way more interesting

    I will continue using youtube and as an a guy who has an youtube channel , your opinion doesnt make sense to me , youtube is only bad if you use it for unproductive porpuse
     
    Deleted Account likes this.
  19. I don't disagree with you but my argument is: you can use yt (in the right way, non-compulsively) but you don't need to.
    What you do is fine. and in fact the content yt has on ONE PLATFORM is incredible! But you can get education, news, entertainment, music from other places too.

    I think one problem for many, including myself, is: we're only watching. Maybe posting some comments too but basically watching one video about this and one video about that. We're not doing something actively like a minority does, who invents, produces and posts videos themselves.
    Because of the system that yt uses (already explained in this thread) this can lead to massive over-consumption and it's easy to get lost in the many different genres and choices.
    Also active learning is much more effective than passive learning. On a personal note: when you don't like reading so much, I think you can learn with videos just as fine. Just be cautious with video where the graphics (I mean what you see) is distracting from the audio and the actual messages. In these cases I would recommend to just listen to the audio.

    I believe it's actually a paradox of our times: having to many supplies, to much to choose from leads (often) to paralysis and discontent.

    But it's correct that we can apply our own system to use yt as a tool in the way we want it. I don't refuse that.
    But it's also possible to quit yt completely. It hasn't to be for the rest of your life oc. All I'm saying is, that for some guys it makes more sense to just stop going there, instead of making a lot of effort to reduce and manage this habit.
    Because some are just too addictive - they have to change their habits and behaviors dramatically and some seem to think they can have their cake and eat it too ;)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 30, 2020

Share This Page