Khaberni - Over-reliance on smartphones has become one of the most notable problems of the digital age, where studies confirm that excessive use of applications—especially social media platforms—is associated with anxiety, distraction, and sleep disorders.
In this context, the "Brick" device emerged as one of the most important recent innovations aimed at curbing digital addiction by creating a physical and psychological barrier that prevents quick access to distracting applications, according to a report published by "The Independent" and reviewed by "Al Arabiya Business".
What is the "Brick" device?
The "Brick" device is a small magnetic box that relies on NFC technology and works alongside a special app on the phone.
As soon as the user touches their phone to the device, the "Bricked" mode is activated, which blocks apps selected by the user themselves, such as social media apps, games, or news platforms.
This mode cannot be canceled except by re-touching the phone to the device itself, making it more difficult to bypass compared to conventional phone restrictions that users can easily stop.
How does the "Brick" device work?
According to recent reviews, the "Brick" device allows the user to create up to 10 different modes, each with varying limits depending on the need—like work mode, study mode, or family time.
After selecting the blocked or allowed apps, simply touching the phone to the device activates the mode.
Upon activation, a timer starts on the phone with the goal of tracking focus duration and encourages the user to continue away from the screen.
The primary feature in "Brick" is that unlocking cannot be done remotely; if the user leaves home without the device, they will not be able to access the blocked apps until they return, except for five emergency attempts used in special cases.
This enhances commitment and prevents quick recurrence to apps as often happens with digital control tools alone.
Why is "Brick" more effective than addiction-reducing apps?
Reviews from various sources indicate that the physical factor is what makes "Brick" different.
The presence of a real device forces the user to move to it to cancel the block, creating a psychological friction that limits the impulsive behavior of opening apps.
Unlike phone settings like Screen Time, which can be easily disabled with a button press, "Brick" makes the decision more conscious and thoughtful.
Journalistic reports also indicate that many users have felt an improvement in focus, reduced stress levels, and higher sleep quality after using "Brick" for a long period—due to the reduction of infinite scrolling that leads to mental energy and time depletion.
Benefits of "Brick" in everyday life
Through prolonged monitoring, device testers found that it aids in:
- Regulating study and work time by blocking distracting apps.
- Increasing the quality of family time by preventing random phone use.
- Improving sleep by reducing night-time phone use, and these results align with studies showing that every additional hour of phone use before sleep increases the risk of insomnia by 59%.
- Enhancing mental health by reducing anxiety associated with digital platforms.
Is "Brick" worth trying?
At a price of about $59, the device may seem expensive at first, but reviews confirm that its real value lies in creating digital boundaries that are difficult to cross, thereby enhancing healthy phone usage habits.
In a world where attention has become a scarce commodity, many see "Brick" as a practical solution for those who want to regain control over their time and focus.
