Cell phones are now the first thing people look at in the morning. And they are also the last thing that people touch at night.
In fact, Pew Research Center discovered that many adolescents report feeling uneasy without their phones by their sides. Even though most of them acknowledge that they spend too much time on them.
This disconnect between the desire to reduce screen time and actually reducing it is the reason why tools like Brick have gained so much attention.
This article, therefore, explains what Brick is and how it works. We will examine whether Brick is useful to adults, teens, or families working towards healthier phone habits.
What is Brick?
Brick is a hybrid screen-time management system that pairs a physical device with a dedicated smartphone app.
Contrary to normal software blockers, Brick doesn’t depend on just software settings. It instead provides a real physical step between you and your phone’s most attractive apps.
The core idea behind Brick is intentionality. Rather than relying on willpower alone, it forms a little obstacle in your life.
You select which apps to block. You establish the “modes” you want for different circumstances. Then you “activate or deactivate” those blocks with the physical device.
This physical piece is what has especially drawn attention to Brick, more than any of the other popular app blockers.
Most of the app blockers are located entirely inside your phone screen. This concept error makes it so that the key to unlocking your distractions is always in your hands.
If you get tempted, you can just press “ignore limit” or type in a short passcode to get back to scrolling. Brick, however, changes all that by putting the key away from your phone.
When you activate a blocking session via Brick, the Apps you have blocked get locked up until you can physically access your Brick device.
If you had put that physical puck in another room or set it on your office desk, it is not possible to work around the block while sitting on your couch.
How Brick helps reduce screen time
The key to reducing screen time is not just about willpower; it’s about changing the underlying behavior.
Brick leverages proven principles of behavioral design to help break automatic behaviors.
It adds friction before opening distracting apps
Typically, mindless phone scrolling occurs on autopilot. You launch an app, and you don’t even notice when your thumb has moved.
However, luckily, Brick gets in the way by introducing some friction to your routine. You will have to physically walk to get to the Brick that unlocked your phone to unlock the app.
This extra effort can lead to a moment of reflection and provide you with an opportunity to think about whether you really need to be on social media at this very moment.
It can temporarily block selected apps and websites
Brick provides you with 100% control over what remains active and what gets locked away.
Access to essential tools such as phone calls, text messages, navigation maps, and/or ride-share services can be maintained at all times.
In the meantime, high-distraction platforms (like social feeds, mobile games, and video streaming apps) can be temporarily blocked until the end of your focus session.
It works best when the user selects specific rules
One of the key elements to Brick’s success is the idea of personalization. Users can create customizable modes to suit various sections of the day.
For example, they could have:
- Work mode. Turn off social media and news, but keep communication apps such as Slack and email activated.
- Study mode. Blocks all apps, except for dictionary applications, music players, or research websites.
- Sleep mode. Shuts down all non-essential apps at night to help minimize doomscrolling until late.
The more specific the rules are, the closer they will be to a person’s actual triggers, and the more effective the tool will be.
It encourages intentional phone habits
The true power of Brick isn’t its blocking of apps. There are a host of tools that can do that. The best thing about it is that it encourages intentional behavior.
Brick makes users choose whether they want to resume connection with the distracting app, which helps to shift the phone away from being an intrusive device to being used for specific purposes.
This change in approach is often the essential ingredient for successful habit change.
What Brick can and cannot do
Brick can be a powerful ally in the fight against mindless scrolling. Brick can help users:
- Prevents unnecessary scrolling through hard boundary lines.
- Guards study time, deep work, and evening routines.
- Substitutes constant control for a physical barrier.
In fact, many users enjoy the fact that the physical aspect provides accountability that is not seen with software-only solutions.
But then, Brick isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for all screen-time issues, unfortunately.
- Does not have the ability to identify the root causes of excessive phone usage, including stress, boredom, or anxiety.
- Will not independently address complex family conflicts about screen time.
With Brick, results are really dependent on consistency. If a device is left unused in a drawer, it doesn’t help with anything.
However, those who use them to establish firm guidelines and select attainable modes reap the greatest rewards. So do users who do use the device on a regular basis.
As with most behavior change tools, Brick magnifies effort. It doesn’t take the place of it.
Who Brick is best for
There are certain groups that are well suited to Brick.
- Adults attempting to reduce their social media usage. For those who find themselves doomscrolling for hours, Brick can be an effective tool to break the habit and reclaim their time.
- Students requiring focused learning time. Brick is the ideal tool for exam preparation and deep work, enabling students to turn off distractions and concentrate.
- Parents who wish to demonstrate healthier cell phone behavior. With Brick, parents can set an example for mindful mobile phone usage and showcase a more attentive family atmosphere.
- Teens who are open to self-management tools. With family guidance, Brick can help teens develop healthier digital habits. It’s a more proactive and less aggressive approach than parental lock-downs.
For those who aren’t ready for change or require more extensive and detailed monitoring for their devices, Brick on its own might not be sufficient.
Brick vs. other screen-time options
So, how does Brick stack up against the competition?
Built-in features such as iPhone Screen Time and Android digital wellbeing
The built-in screen time features are free, simple to configure, and very effective for awareness. You can see your daily average usage and set app limits.
The downside, however, is that they can easily be overridden. With Brick, by design, it is more difficult to override.
While the setup is more involved since you have to have the physical device, it gives a more concrete experience when using it on a day-to-day basis.
Traditional app blockers and focus apps
Apps, such as Freedom, Opal, or One Sec, create more friction than willpower involving systems, like the breathing exercises or delayed opens.
They are 100% software-based, and thus they will travel with you. Brick, on the other hand, is less portable in a good way, in that you have to leave it somewhere.
Thus, if you want to focus when traveling, an app blocker would be more flexible. When you need focus at home or at work, Brick’s physical anchor will provide greater separation.
Parental control tools for family use
Parental controls are designed to be used for supervision. They allow a parent to set limits, view activity, control screen time, and filter content for younger children through their own phone.
Brick, on the other hand, is built for personal agency. It is designed to allow for self-direction on phone use.
Therefore, parental controls may be more appropriate for families with younger kids. Brick is better suited for families with older teens and adults who desire to build their own habits.
How FlashGet Kids can help
Brick is a wonderful self-management practice tool for those who are motivated to change; however, parents of younger children may need active supervision rather than voluntary compliance.
Remotely track location and manage daily usage.
This is where specialized parental control software such as FlashGet Kids can come in handy.
FlashGet Kids is designed for parents to help guide their children’s digital habits, approaching digital wellness from a family safety perspective.
It comes with an array of powerful capabilities.
- Screen time management. Parents can limit daily usage, remotely block inappropriate apps, and schedule downtime for homework or bedtime directly from their own phone.
- Real-time monitoring. Parent control features such as screen mirroring and Live Camera access enable parents to supervise their child’s surroundings and online usage and prevent them from accessing dangerous material.
- Web filtering & safety alerts. The automated content filters prevent access to toxic or adult sites, and real-time alert notifications alert parents if a child tries to view inappropriate content.
With a tool such as FlashGet Kids, parents have a complete picture and direct control, thus making sure kids develop healthy online habits even when they are too young to self-regulate.
Conclusion
Digital distraction is a common problem in today’s world, but with the right tools, it’s much easier to develop healthy habits.
The Brick is a great physical solution to phone overuse as it keeps your lock settings away from your phone screen, forcing conscious decisions to be made through real-life friction.
It’s designed for self-motivated adults, students, and teens who are seeking focused time and quieter schedules. However, it can’t fill the void of boredom or stand in for active parenting.
For families needing comprehensive safety oversight and remote control for younger children, dedicated platforms like FlashGet Kids deliver the necessary structure and protection.
