The motivation of using a special device to untether from the app as being ‘to reduce screen time’ seems tenuous at best. Is using an app to program in a block language to control real trains in a customizable city really ‘screen time’? And even if it is, is it automatically bad?
The quote from the answer suggests a slightly different motivation than reducing screen time.
I use a setup similar to the above to allow an automated train to run around my son's city without the need to have a screen nearby the whole time.
It’s a criticism that I hear regularly of the requirement to use an app for various of the motorized Lego kits: Having a phone in hand often leads to the result that the kids stop controlling (or even building) the kit and rather start playing on the phone. It’s also a bit an expensive thing to hand to your six year old so they can control their Lego train.
Comments
The motivation of using a special device to untether from the app as being ‘to reduce screen time’ seems tenuous at best. Is using an app to program in a block language to control real trains in a customizable city really ‘screen time’? And even if it is, is it automatically bad?
The quote from the answer suggests a slightly different motivation than reducing screen time.
It’s a criticism that I hear regularly of the requirement to use an app for various of the motorized Lego kits: Having a phone in hand often leads to the result that the kids stop controlling (or even building) the kit and rather start playing on the phone. It’s also a bit an expensive thing to hand to your six year old so they can control their Lego train.