Have you ever opened TikTok or Instagram for just five minutes only to look up an hour later wondering what just happened? 

Congrats! You're not alone -- and certainly not at fault.

Short-form videos (like Reels, Shorts, TikToks, and Spotlights) are designed to keep us locked in. But what if we could choose not to play? 

The rise of TikTok, formerly known as Musical.ly, proved just how effective short-form video content is at capturing our attention — and how easily it can be used against us. Soon after, Instagram launched Reels, YouTube added Shorts, and Snapchat introduced Spotlights. These features were built not just to entertain, but to keep us endlessly scrolling, with no natural stopping point.

There’s currently no way to turn it off. No setting. No switch. Just auto-play after auto-play, algorithm after algorithm, designed to override our ability to stop.

We’re not asking for short-form video to be removed. We’re asking for a choice.

A simple switch in settings -- just like we can disable autoplay, mute words, or turn off notifications -- would give users back control of their own attention. One click. One setting. That’s it.

This feature would support:

• Students who need to focus
• Teens trying to build better screen habit
•  Parents raising kids in a digital world
• People struggling with anxiety, ADHD, or screen addiction
• Anyone who just wants social media on their terms

We’re not anti-social media. We’re pro-choice — in what we scroll.

Sign this petition to demand social platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube give us the ability to switch off the scroll.

We deserve tools that work for us — not against us.

Let’s reclaim our feeds.
Let’s reclaim our time.
Let’s Switch Off the Scroll.