alt Hacker NewsI use YouTube, but only watch stuff I SEARCH for or from people I have subscribed to. No watch next BS.
If you have self control you can avoid the social media element of it.
YouTube demonetisation tends to act as a reasonable steward on the platform, but it does need to be strengthened.
I.e. make YouTube responsible as the publisher for any video with over 100k views. This would be totally doable.
Doesn't matter, if this goes through as is you will have to submit photo-id and/or facial scans linking you to a google account in order to watch any youtube other than the kids section.