The problem with blocking
Most digital wellness tools work by locking you out. They put walls between you and the apps you're trying to avoid. Some make those walls permanent and irremovable.
That works for some people. But for many, it misses the point. Willpower isn't built by removing the option to fail. It's built by facing the option and choosing differently.
The Stoic approach
The Stoics — Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus — understood that self-control isn't about eliminating temptation. It's about meeting temptation with clarity and choosing wisely.
"No man is free who is not master of himself." Epictetus
Screen Stoic is built on this principle. When you open a distracting app, Screen Stoic doesn't block it. It intervenes — with a moment of friction, a Stoic quote, and a clear choice: resist or continue.
Every time you resist, that decision is recorded. Your discipline score grows. Your Study fills with quotes. Your progression tier advances. You're building something visible and measurable — not just avoiding something.
What we monitor
Screen Stoic works across social media (Instagram, TikTok, X, Reddit, YouTube, and more), gambling and sports betting apps (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and others), and gaming. You choose which apps to monitor.
We built gambling support because existing tools in that space are almost all permanent, irremovable hard blockers. Not everyone needs or wants that. Some people need a tool that helps them build self-control — not one that takes the decision away entirely.
What we believe
Your data belongs on your device. Screen Stoic stores everything locally — no cloud servers, no tracking, no analytics. We don't even use Accessibility Service permissions. Your phone, your data, your choices.
We also believe in honesty about what this app is and isn't. Screen Stoic is not a substitute for professional therapy or addiction treatment. It's a tool for building better habits through philosophy and daily practice.
About the company
Screen Stoic was founded in 2026 by Mike Phillips. It's an independent, self-funded product. No investors, no ads, no data monetization. The business model is simple: a free tier that works, and a Pro tier for people who want unlimited interventions.