What in the World Brick phones are so back
Jan 7, 2026
Chelsea Coates, a BBC journalist focused on digital culture, and Andy Przybylski, a behavior expert from Oxford, explore the surprising resurgence of brick phones. They discuss the motivations behind digital detox trends and the impact of screen time on young people's mental health. Chelsea highlights innovative apps and devices to curb phone use, while Andy debunks myths about smartphone addiction. Listeners gain insights into practical tips for healthier phone habits, emphasizing moderation and real-life connections.
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Quitting The Smartphone Changed Daily Habits
- Elias gave up his smartphone and returned to a dumb phone to break automatic checking habits.
- He says it was like making one big decision instead of thousands of little ones and his life improved.
Try Apps And Grayscale To Curb Use
- Try screen‑time apps or grayscale to reduce temptation, like Antisocial, Forest or turning the display gray.
- These tools either compare usage, reward focus with a growing tree, or make the screen less appealing.
Use Physical App‑Lock Devices
- Use physical lock devices like Focus, Bloom or Brick to enforce app limits that are hard to bypass.
- These devices require you to hold your phone up again to unlock, strengthening commitment to reduced use.