Page 2 | To wonder if anybody has had success cutting scrolling with a brick device?

ToughC00kie · 2026-02-15T08:55:20+00:00

Surely if it’s in the house you’d be tempted to just tap it to scroll? Can see how useful it would out of the house with the brick at home. Really want to find something to cut screen time time but don’t want to waste money. Is It just an expensive gimmick?

BellRock1234 · 15/02/2026 09:58

ToughC00kie · 15/02/2026 09:33

Because I guess you can set it up and leave the brick at home so even if tempted you can’t unblock when out. But yes I’m not sure how different it would be to blocking apps when at home although I guess if you left it in another room it might help but then you might as well leave the phone in another room.

Just curious, it’s had a lot of hype , wondered if anybody had tried it.

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Isn't that the opposite of what you would want? You are less likely to sit scrolling when you are out doing things, but are more likely to need to check money/train times/tickets/etc.

I've put a screen time counter widget on my phone, so everything i pick it up I see how long I've used it for that day, and I find that helps.

TheActualQueen · 15/02/2026 09:46

If you get the brick and get rid of your smartphone you cant just tap n scroll. What’s confusing?

Original poster

ToughC00kie · 15/02/2026 09:45

Kingdomofsleep · 15/02/2026 09:36

This thread feels like an ad...

I find as with anything, you have to fill your time with something else. We have lately got into the habit of having a large jigsaw puzzle on the go and we all add to it each day. I'm scrolling a lot less.

You have to create alternative habits rather than use yet more tech

Well I can assure you it isn’t.

And as for the just fill your time I have a house full of puzzles and other shit to do but the fact is phones are highly addictive and the majority of people struggle massively to not scroll.

OP posts:

Kingdomofsleep · 15/02/2026 09:36

This thread feels like an ad...

I find as with anything, you have to fill your time with something else. We have lately got into the habit of having a large jigsaw puzzle on the go and we all add to it each day. I'm scrolling a lot less.

You have to create alternative habits rather than use yet more tech

Original poster

ToughC00kie · 15/02/2026 09:33

stickydough · 15/02/2026 09:29

Oh, I think you’re going to get lots of replies about ‘brick phones’ as that’s what many people would understand ‘a brick’ to mean these days. Had a quick look - why pay £53 when you can get apps that block your phone at set times or block set apps? BePresent is one I have used.

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Because I guess you can set it up and leave the brick at home so even if tempted you can’t unblock when out. But yes I’m not sure how different it would be to blocking apps when at home although I guess if you left it in another room it might help but then you might as well leave the phone in another room.

Just curious, it’s had a lot of hype , wondered if anybody had tried it.

OP posts:

stickydough · 15/02/2026 09:29

ToughC00kie · 15/02/2026 09:10

The brick is a small device that works with an app that has to be tapped to open Apps you've blocked so great if you’re away from home and leave the brick at home I guess but I need something to cut scrolling at home too. It’s supposed to be effective but I’m not sure how helpful it would be at home.

Show quote history

Oh, I think you’re going to get lots of replies about ‘brick phones’ as that’s what many people would understand ‘a brick’ to mean these days. Had a quick look - why pay £53 when you can get apps that block your phone at set times or block set apps? BePresent is one I have used.

GottaBeStrong · 15/02/2026 09:26

For me, it comes down to Internet access. When I go to my parents' boat, the Internet doesn't work well inside the boat. So, I end up ditching my phone and only checking it once a day. I find I read masses of books and do some drawing, colouring in, writing, playing card and board games, and other hobbies.

The key for me is whether I can access the Internet or not. So, if I had a basic dumb phone as my main phone, I'd be grand. I'd have to change my ways though. I would need to use my laptop to do the everyday tasks modern life requires such as email, bills and banking etc.

I use my phone camera - I could have a physical camera but then I would take as many photos or videos as I wouldn't be carrying it around with me.

The problem also would be when we went out. I use my smart phone to check bus and train times, or to order cabs or Uber on an app etc. We use Google maps and the SatNav.

It's complicated!

Perhaps I need a phone jail for the smart phone at home 🤣 and a dumb phone for at home.

igelkott2026 · 15/02/2026 09:13

You could just take social media apps off your phone so you have to fire up your laptop/tablet to use them? That's what I have done.

Also, because of the pay or consent, I can't use them on my laptop anymore anyway, but occasionally they will let me in on my tablet. So that helps, too!

Edit: WhatsApp and FB Messenger are still on my phone.

Original poster

ToughC00kie · 15/02/2026 09:11

https://getbrick.app/?nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A22799569802%3A189385467784%3A764097012429&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=phone%20brick&nb_ti=kwd-331784302244&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=b&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22799569802&gbraid=0AAAAA-Z25K367xOA0z-gPLjtPAD0ZTuJe&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsN2LsZPbkgMVn6NQBh1XIjZ6EAAYASAAEgINi_D_BwE

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OP posts:

Original poster

ToughC00kie · 15/02/2026 09:10

stickydough · 15/02/2026 09:05

Have you tried the apps that block you from using your phone? They only work when you are really motivated ime though. The book ‘how to break up with your phone’ is good, it helped me reduce my time a lot but I didn’t keep it going - need to read it again!

I don’t know what you mean by the expensive gimmick? Brick phones are £20 aren’t they?

The brick is a small device that works with an app that has to be tapped to open Apps you've blocked so great if you’re away from home and leave the brick at home I guess but I need something to cut scrolling at home too. It’s supposed to be effective but I’m not sure how helpful it would be at home.

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Octavia64 · 15/02/2026 09:07

My DS tried this.

he bought a Nokia brick.
it was successful in reducing phone use but he found the lack of what’s app a problem - most of his friendship group are on there.

he’s upgraded slightly to a phone that does have what’s app.

stickydough · 15/02/2026 09:05

Have you tried the apps that block you from using your phone? They only work when you are really motivated ime though. The book ‘how to break up with your phone’ is good, it helped me reduce my time a lot but I didn’t keep it going - need to read it again!

I don’t know what you mean by the expensive gimmick? Brick phones are £20 aren’t they?