Brick, a $59 device that blocks smartphone apps via NFC, has become a viral wellness trend in 2024 as users seek relief from excessive screen time and digital dependency. The gadget pairs with an app to restrict social media and games, requiring users to physically tap their phone against the device to unlock blocked apps, creating friction that helps combat compulsive usage and FOMO.
Children's media has increasingly adopted rapid pacing, loud sounds, and bright visuals that overwhelm young viewers' ability to process meaning and develop emotional understanding. While content quality matters, the accelerated tempo—driven by attention economy principles—prevents children from taking time to follow stories, grasp concepts, or recognize social repair, potentially undermining their development of empathy and sustained attention.