New in Chrome 74: Prefers-reduced-motion media query

Animations can enhance user experience by conveying messages and clarifying functions, but they can also be disruptive or even harmful to individuals with certain conditions, such as vestibular disorders or attention deficits. Historically, the web platform has lagged behind operating systems in offering users the option to reduce animations, but this gap is closing with the introduction of the "prefers-reduced-motion" media query in the Media Queries Level 5 CSS specification, now supported by major browsers like Chrome. This media query allows developers to respect users' preferences by adjusting or eliminating animations based on their system settings, thereby improving accessibility and user experience. Implementing this feature can range from a progressive enhancement approach to a more immediate "nuke" solution, where animations are universally disabled for users who prefer reduced motion. This change is not only important for inclusivity and empathy but also makes business sense, as overly animated websites risk driving users away.