When it feels like you constantly have to fight against the platform to try and scrap together a usable experience maybe its time to consider why you even use that platform. pixelfed is great and its such a breathe of fresh air compared to instagram.
It's a fair ask, my honest considerations:
- Tiktok: "I don't want or need this" -> Delete forever.
- Pixelfed: "I don't want or need this" -> Don't install.
- Instagram: "Still get a ton of value from seeing updates come in from family, don't want the option of getting deep into reels" -> Strict daily timer.
- YouTube: "Still get a ton of value from the network of content published to the platform consistently, don't want the option of getting deep into shorts" -> ??? self control.
The dilemma I have with YouTube feels like exactly what the OP's app is intended to solve.