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If you want to cut your screen time, just get a Brick

27 d ago

The Brick, a $59 magnetic, matchbox-sized gadget, has proven more effective than software-based screen-time limits at reducing phone usage and improving sleep habits. The author, who previously dismissed iPhone screen-time notifications, found that requiring a physical tap of the phone to the NFC-enabled Brick to override custom limits creates enough friction to curb mindless scrolling. Co-founder Zach Nasgowitz said Brick was born from a personal need to stop phones from interfering with life. The author used a "Sleep" mode that blocks all apps except messaging and audio from 10:30 PM, forcing her to get out of bed and walk downstairs to tap the Brick if she wants to use blocked apps. The gadget also provides a few "emergency unbricks" for essential apps like maps or rideshares. Co-founder TJ Driver explained that software solutions like Screen Time are easy to bypass, but physical technology adds real separation, turning reconnection into an intentional act rather than a reflex. The product's emphasis on personalization and agency has resonated with users, such as one who wanted a dumb phone but needed KakaoTalk for family communication. Brick offers a happy medium for those reluctant to switch to flip phones, as it allows users to make their phone as "dumb" as they want, when they want. Driver concluded that the screen-time movement is about reclaiming agency and intentionality, not rejecting technology. The author, who tested a review unit, plans to purchase one due to its effectiveness.