I tried a $59 gadget to cut my phone screen time. It helped me completely break my TikTok habit.
Like most people, I spend way too much time on my phone. Scrolling social media, checking scores, and mindlessly refreshing apps had become second nature. Then, thanks to a random Instagram ad, I stumbled upon a quirky little gadget called Brick—and surprisingly, it worked.
What Is Brick?
Brick is a $59 plastic block with a magnet. Tap your phone to it, and suddenly your smartphone turns into a “dumbphone.” Apps like Instagram, TikTok, or games you select become locked until you tap your phone on the Brick again.
It’s ridiculously simple—almost silly—but the effect is powerful.
My Experience Using Brick
On days I “brick” my phone, my screen time drops 25% to 50%, according to Apple’s reports. I’ve set mine to block all social media and even the MLB app so I don’t obsessively check baseball scores. For hours at a time, my phone becomes just calls, texts, emails, and work chats.
The strangest part? Just knowing I’d have to get up and walk across the room to unlock my apps was enough to stop me from wasting time. That tiny inconvenience worked better than Apple’s built-in limits, which I always ignored with a quick tap.
Why Does It Work?
Psychologists say this method taps into a basic behavioral principle: breaking a routine. Even a small barrier, like having to move a few feet, can interrupt addictive habits.
As one expert put it, these kinds of “draconian mechanisms” may be the only way to truly reset unhealthy screen-time patterns.
The Bigger Picture: Digital Detox
The digital detox market is small but growing, worth about $500 million globally each year. While big tech companies like Apple and Google offer “Screen Time” and “Digital Wellbeing” tools, they don’t really want us to stop using our devices. That’s where niche products like Brick come in.
Of course, you could try free fixes—leave your phone in another room, set timers, or delete apps. But for me, the Brick made the difference. Maybe it’s absurd to spend $59 on a fridge magnet for self-control, but if it cuts hours of screen time each week, it’s worth it.
Final Thought
It might feel silly to need a gadget to control your phone habits, but sometimes simple tools work better than willpower. For me, Brick isn’t just a block of plastic—it’s peace of mind.
#DigitalDetox #PhoneAddiction #Productivity #MindfulLiving #TechLife