Take Back Control of Your Screen Time with the BRICK #getbrick #socialmediadetox #screentime

Why It Matters

Physical lock‑out tools like Brick demonstrate a practical solution to smartphone addiction, offering measurable gains in productivity and mental health for both individuals and workplaces.

Key Takeaways

• Brick device forces a complete break from social media apps
• User reduced screen time by 13% during the experiment
• Productivity and sleep improved without constant phone notifications
• Desktop versions felt less tempting, reducing scrolling urges
• Mental health benefits noted from eliminating comparison-driven content

Summary

The video showcases a social‑media professional testing the Brick, a device that disables a smartphone’s functionality, to see if a hard lock can curb compulsive usage.

After bricking his phone, the creator attempted to access Instagram twenty times, eventually resorting to the desktop web versions, which he found “boring” and less tempting. Over the trial his screen time fell 13%, sleep quality improved, and he reported higher productivity and reduced anxiety.

He emphasizes the psychological shift, noting “I slept better, I was more relaxed, I was more productive,” and credits the absence of endless scrolling and social comparison for the boost in mental well‑being.

The experiment suggests that tangible barriers can outperform willpower for digital‑detox seekers, hinting at a niche market for lock‑out hardware and prompting employers to consider similar tools for employee focus.

Original Description

Our social team tested one of the most anti-social media products on the market. 📵

Working in social media, we’ve always had a built-in excuse for our screen time.

"It’s research."

"It’s trend monitoring."

"It’s literally my job."

But somewhere along the way, social media started to fill our free time too, and just willpower to log off wasn’t cutting it. 🤳

For two weeks, our team tested the Brick — a device that locks you out of selected apps unless you physically unlock them. This was a true experiment (not sponsored), where we tracked our screen time alongside habit, mindset, and mental health shifts. We didn't really know what to expect, but the goal was to separate intentional use from automatic scrolling.

The result? Less doomscrolling, better sleep, and a very humbling look at our screen time. Our team was pleasantly surprised that the Brick actually seemed to make a difference. Go to the link in our bio to read the full review 💬

Before you read it, we reviewed it.

Post Fact Checked By: Healthline Medical Standards & Insights team

Post Review Date: 2/26/2026

Article Medically Reviewed By: Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI

Article Review Date: 3/3/2026

Test Length: 2 weeks

Source: Szilagyi, C. (2026, March 3). We Tried the Brick Phone Lock — and the Struggle Was Real. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/brick-phone-lock-review

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Healthline content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. See a licensed medical professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Opinions expressed in this video may not reflect those of Healthline Media.