They were always the standout couple during my university days, but they recently shared their breakup on social media in a rather cringe-worthy post.
While heading to brunch with some former classmates, I stumbled upon their announcement and immediately thought, “This is perfect for our first conversation topic.” I was convinced it’d be a hot topic for everyone.
But oddly enough, no one else had seen the post, so I urged everyone to check Instagram.
“We can’t,” one friend replied, showing me her phone’s dark screen with a message indicating the app was blocked. “We’re Bricked.”
Suddenly, I realized I was seemingly the only person in my twenties in New York City without this trending screen-time management gadget.
It’s funny, isn’t it? One of the biggest trends today is to actually log off.
The new FOMO
Brick is a device priced at $59 that connects to a smartphone app. It allows users to choose specific apps they wish to limit access to, and then they just tap their phone against the small puck to block them.
To regain access to those apps, you must physically tap your phone against it once more.
The concept is that Brick stays at home, preventing you from easily accessing your digital distractions while you’re out and about. If you’re cozy in bed or lounging on the couch, well, you’ll have to get up and walk over to it to unlock your apps.
Since its introduction in fall 2023, Brick has gained significant popularity, especially as concerns over excessive screen time have surged. Too much time spent on devices can lead to a variety of issues, including sleep problems, eye strain, and deteriorating mental health, productivity, and relationships.
It feels like everyone I know is trying to scale back on their screen time, but so many are struggling to make it happen.
Smartphones are now so woven into the fabric of our daily lives that detaching from them has become a daunting task, as noted by Dr. Cort M. Dorn-Medeiros, an addiction specialist and professor at Lewis & Clark College.
“For many, just the thought of giving up their smartphone is overwhelming and anxiety-inducing,” he stated. “They honestly can’t picture living or functioning without it.”
Additionally, social media algorithms are crafted to keep users engaged, creating loops of behavior that can seem addictive.
“Without my phone to fill those quiet moments, I felt uneasy and a bit anxious… I was surprised at how uncomfortable being bored made me.”
McKenzie Bear
“The habit of reaching for your phone becomes instinctual, and many find it hard to resist,” explained Dr. John Puls, a psychotherapist and addiction expert.
It’s easy to see why digital detox tools like Brick, “dumb phones,” and the larger analog movement have gained traction in 2026. After years of being perpetually online, people are realizing that letting go of digital FOMO can be liberating.
Learning to log off
Once I set it up with the companion app, I restricted access to all the social media platforms where I tend to waste countless hours, plus a few of the games I mindlessly play while commuting.
I even scheduled it to automatically block those apps from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to help me steer clear of social media in the morning and while working, and created a “sleep” mode to lock them again after 9 p.m., allowing a three-hour window for scrolling.
However, I quickly realized that while blocking an app is straightforward, breaking a habit is a whole different ball game.
I usually check my phone for a few minutes while still in bed. On my first morning of being Bricked, I found myself attempting to open Threads at least ten times before getting out of bed.
The urge lingered throughout the day. In moments of boredom, I instinctively reached for my phone, only to face a dead end. With my Brick stuck to the fridge at home, I was utterly powerless.
Without my phone to occupy those quiet intervals, I felt a bit awkward and, at times, anxious. I was at a loss for how to fill the space and was taken aback by just how discomforting boredom felt.
“When people first stop using their phone compulsively, they go through a sort of withdrawal,” Puls noted.
The cravings can be quite intense—some feel restless, while others experience “phantom” notifications, convinced their device vibrated when it actually didn’t. This can persist for weeks as your body adjusts, according to Puls.
Less screen, more life
Eventually, those feelings began to diminish. I found myself starting my mornings by catching up on the news instead of getting lost in my feed. During my commute, I opted to finish a book instead of scrolling.
While waiting for my coffee to brew in the office kitchen, I engaged with colleagues rather than diving into Instagram messages.
Since I wasn’t as immersed in my friends’ online lives, I began reaching out to those I genuinely cared about much more frequently.
Evenings were trickier, though. I felt a bit restless with the surplus of time, but staying busy helped—cooking more intricate meals, hitting the gym, and even picking up an old guitar I hadn’t played in ages.
“A lot of smartphone use is unintentional,” Dorn-Medeiros pointed out. “We do it without a second thought. Brick helps to reintroduce intent into the equation, which is quite beneficial.”
The crucial factor for achieving lasting change, he emphasized, is finding alternatives to mindlessly scrolling.
It’s now been over three weeks since I implemented Brick, and I feel considerably less distracted and more engaged in my daily activities. My anxiety has diminished as well. Rather than constantly fretting over what everyone else is doing, I find more joy in whatever I am actually involved in.
I even managed to stick to my schedule during a family vacation — usually, a time ripe for mindless scrolling whenever my relatives start discussing subjects like the economy.
Lately, I’ve noticed a declining eagerness to check social media, even when my apps aren’t restricted. I do still log on from time to time, but I’m less likely to find myself sucked in and suddenly realizing I’ve lost track of an hour.
Sure, I may not catch wind of that couple’s breakup the moment it happens, but, well, gossip is a time-honored human tradition—and there’s always the grapevine.
