New Brick gadget lets users lock apps physically to curb smartphone addiction
The Brick, a $59 puck that blocks chosen apps when tapped, is gaining traction as a hands-on method to reduce screen time.
Introduced in fall 2023, the $59 Brick gadget pairs with a companion app that lets owners pick social-media and gaming apps to block by tapping their phone against a compact puck; unlocking the apps requires another tap, often forcing users to walk to the device. The product’s surge mirrors rising anxiety about screen-time effects such as disrupted sleep, eye strain, and poorer mental health, as highlighted by counselors Cort M. Dorn-Medeiros and John Puls.
Initial adopters experience strong cravings and phantom notifications, but after several weeks the urge eases, leading to habits like reading news, chatting with coworkers, and pursuing offline hobbies. Dorn-Medeiros says the Brick restores intentionality to phone use, while Puls stresses the importance of replacing scrolling with alternative activities. After more than three weeks, the author feels less distracted, calmer, and more present, even on a family vacation, illustrating how a simple analog tool can reshape digital habits.
Why it matters
It demonstrates how a low-cost physical tool can help curb smartphone overuse and improve mental wellbeing.
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