Representative Jake Auchincloss says politicians need to ditch their phones and get in touch with nature … telling us most are nice IRL — but they can get real nasty online.

We caught up with the Democratic Congressman from Massachusetts on Capitol Hill earlier this week … and we asked him about the differences between politicians’ in-person and online personas.

Auchincloss tells us he got a device over Christmas that “bricks” his phone — basically making it a glorified paperweight — and he thinks his fellows in the House and Senate should get similar tech to brick their own phones and go “touch grass.”

Rep. Auchincloss acknowledges social media is a useful mass communication tool — like newspapers and TV — but he still thinks face-to-face encounters lead to more understanding across political divides.

The congressman also defends most of his colleagues … claiming a vast majority are trying to govern correctly — but a small minority is ruining it for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, can we have Congress outside today?