About Mono

Mono was born from a simple frustration: our phones are supposed to help us, but increasingly they consume our attention. I saw it in myself, in friends, and even in children. Screen time settings are easy to bypass — the problem runs deeper. Something physical was needed to make you pause before giving in to the impulse.

That's why the Mono Block exists. You create a profile where you block the apps that distract you. This profile is activated by tapping your iPhone against the Mono Block. If you want to end the session, you need to be near the Mono Block again, because you physically need it.

Mono is built by a small team in the Netherlands, driven by simplicity and the belief that technology should support you, not take over. We bring the digital and physical worlds together in a calm, intentional way.

Why I built Mono

I started Mono because I saw the same pattern in myself and the people around me: hours disappearing into endless scrolling, without even realizing it. Not out of laziness or lack of discipline, but because these apps are simply built to capture your attention. I noticed the same with children — the phone is glued to their hands. Many apps try to combat this, but you can just as easily tap through them. I realized something physical was needed. Something that literally makes you pause before giving in to an impulse.

With that thought, the idea for the Mono Block was born. And with my partner's critical eye, it became an object that is not only functional, but also fits into any home interior.

Mono is here to give you a healthy relationship with your phone (again). A small wooden barrier between you and the apps that pull at your attention, so you decide when to be present.