Users Turn to $59 Brick and Built-In Tools to Curb Smartphone Overuse

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 24

$59 Brick is gaining attention as a physical blocker that locks selected apps and websites until users tap their phone against the device again, adding friction to doomscrolling.
Pew data show why the idea is resonating: 53% of U.S. adults say they spend too much time on smartphones, including 70% of those ages 18 to 29, while 26% say they are online almost constantly.
Cutting back has proved difficult—45% of adults tried in the past year, but only a quarter of that group said they were very or extremely successful.
Apple and Android already offer free alternatives, including Screen Time, Focus, App Limits and Digital Wellbeing tools that track usage, mute notifications and cap app access before users buy extra hardware.
The broader push extends beyond screen time alone, with 41% of adults saying phones hurt their sleep and 62% of adults under 30 reporting that effect.