Brigid Delaney, a writer struggling with phone addiction, tested the Brick, a physical device that uses NFC technology to lock distracting apps. The device, costing $59 US, requires a physical tap to unlock apps, adding friction to break the cycle of doomscrolling.
Delaney describes her daily routine of checking group chats, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, TikTok, and LinkedIn, which left her unable to focus on her novel due on 31 July. She found app-based limits ineffective, as they were too easy to bypass.
The Brick, along with a cheaper rival Locked, allows users to set timers for blocking apps. Trying to unlock early prompts a question about choosing a life, which Delaney found motivating. She reports transformative effects, especially at night, with more time for reading and thinking.
While not a cure, Delaney says the Brick has restored her ability to focus and reduced the algorithm's hold on her. The novel is progressing, and she can concentrate for longer periods.
