People are “bricking” their smartphones on purpose to stop doomscrolling
As personal devices continue to advance, more and more consumers are craving the opposite: a way to dumb down their smartphones back to the simple tech of yesteryear. According to the latest Pew Research surveys , over half of American adults (53%) self-identify as spending too much time on their phone, with one in four adults saying they’re on their smartphones “almost constantly.” Those figures…
A new gadget called Brick is gaining popularity among smartphone users who want to reduce their screen time and break bad habits. The small, gray plastic cube connects to a user's phone via NFC technology, allowing them to block certain apps. To access those apps, users must physically tap their phone on the Brick device, adding an extra step that discourages mindless scrolling.
Researchers from Pew found that over half of American adults (53%) feel they spend too much time on their phones, with 70% of 18-29 year olds reporting the same. While some people have tried to cut back on their usage, only a quarter of those who attempted it felt they were successful. Brick's unique approach bypasses the built-in screen time limits on smartphones, which can easily be overridden.
In a survey of over 3,500 customers, 95% of users reported feeling less distracted, 93% said they were more focused, and 99% noted reduced screen time. Although Brick charges $59 for the device, some creative individuals have found ways to make their own versions using NFC stickers and apps like Foqos. The company has seen a surge in popularity since its 2023 launch, with the Brick app downloaded tens of thousands of times each month.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
