People are actually donating to the 'NoPhone' KickStarter

The NoPhone, a piece of black, rectangular-shaped plastic, has raised nearly $9,000 (over £5,500) on Kickstarter. Why? Because people feel they are too addicted to their phones.

A group of friends from the Netherlands and the United States came up with the idea after a night out socialising.”By ‘socialise’ we meant ‘stare at our phones and occasionally look up from our screens to order another round’ which is the norm nowadays”, the page states.

Creators Van Gould, Ingmar Larsen and Ben Langeveld said the NoPhone was originally conceived as a “satirical security blanket” meant to comment on our present addiction to technology, but the responses taking the product seriously were overwhelming. The best bit is the mirror on the back, for “selfies”.

The Kickstarter page for the “phone” states: “With a thin, light and completely wireless design, the NoPhone acts as a surrogate to any smart mobile device, enabling you to always have a rectangle of smooth, cold plastic to clutch without forgoing any potential engagement with your direct environment. ”

Ironically, the NoPhone has been shared profusely on social media.