【Watch In the Cut (2003)】

Lego Life is Watch In the Cut (2003)a new Instagram-style photo-sharing network built with kids in mind. Lego calls it “An app full of cool stuff. An app full of your cool stuff," and it provides something for kids that didn't exist before: a social network to share photos of Lego creations.

The app (available on the App Store and Google Play) is built around having a safe experience for kids, starting with the on-boarding process. Kids can create an account in the app, but it asks for a parent's email address. The parent then gets a message that confirms the child's age and gender, activating the account.

SEE ALSO: Google launches Toontastic 3D, a new app for kids to animate with

Another security measure: kid members can't use their real names; instead, usernames are a randomly generated combination of three words (e.g. LadyGutsyPiano). Kids can also create avatars, but the options are limited to what Lego provides.

When a kid first starts using the app, it shows them images of Lego creations from random users as well as some from Lego itself. Following other users is as easy as tapping or clicking, and once kids choose a few, the feed will help steer you to content that it thinks you might like.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The app heavily moderates user interactions. For instance, users can only comment on other users' posts with emoji, selected from the custom Lego emoji keyboard, which is far more limited than the regular emoji keyboard (notably, there is no poop emoji). On official Lego posts, however, users can comment normally (i.e. with words).

To help keep things rated G, Lego says it employs “highly trained moderators” to vet every post and comment on the network to make sure they're age appropriate. For the photos themselves, each one also needs to be Lego-related (no cat pics, please). Photos may not link to other websites or show real people.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Unlike other social networks, Lego Life doesn't depend entirely on user-generated content. Lego posts a lot of its own conttant, from challenges to photos of cool Lego projects.

"The network is fulfilling a demand. I like the spirit of it and would let my seven-year-old join, though I’m a bit wary of the open commenting on Lego-created content," said Mashable Tech Editor Pete Pachal, father of two. "On the kid commenting, I personally would prefer to see it more like Facebook reactions: a smaller set of emoji reactions, rather than comments. Using Lego emoji will probably result in every comment becoming a rebus puzzle."

Software for kids is a growing market, but the space has huge challenges. Apps have to appeal to both parents and kids, and have safety measures built in for parents to feel comfortable using it. The Lego Life app is well made in this regard, and puts safety first even if limiting functionality a bit. Not everything about it is awesome, but the first step is pretty great.

---

Featured Video For You

---

A former physics student uses education to combat Islamophobia in America

---

• Shopping
• Social Good
• Games
• Entertainment
• Tech
• Digital Culture
• Life
• Deals

• Amazon Big Spring Sale 2025: Best Apple deals on iPads, MacBooks, and more still live
• Waymo will test its self
• Apple's iPhone X is now available for pre
• Europe is getting its first underwater restaurant and the rest of the world should take note
• Best JBL deal: Save $80 on JBL Xtreme 4 portable speaker
• Apple relaxed Face ID specs to speed iPhone X production, says report
• Baseball player George Springer's mission to empower kids who stutter
• The U.S. wants access to tech data stored in the U.K.
• Character AI reveals AvatarFX, a new AI video generator
• How Lena Waithe wrote the 'Master of None' Thanksgiving episode

• Google tells Australians to get mad about proposed media laws in pointed open letter
• Trump apparently thinks he can make a 'sneak' UK visit, British protesters beg to differ
• 'The Crown' has found its Princess Diana for Seasons 5 and 6
• Trump wants China to put a 'heavy move' on North Korea, whatever that means
• Little Tasmanian devil experiencing snowfall is hardly what you'd call evil
• 'Fortnite' goes all in on Gotham City's biggest heroes and villains
• Jellybean the joey has just left his mother's pouch and he can't stop bouncing
• Kylie and Kendall Jenner may get sued by The Doors over their T
• J.K. Rowling has an explanation for all of Trump's deranged tweets
• Fired Vogue editor burns down the house in blisteringly candid interview

• This new app is like Shazam for frogs
• Your handy guide to how long you can wait to respond to that email
• Women are sending Donald Trump bills for their birth control in protest
• 11 'Bob's Burgers' costumes that don't look like everyone else's
• NYT Connections hints and answers for May 18: Tips to solve 'Connections' #707.
• 'Broad City' gave witches back their power and made Trump a curse word
• The Interior Department left out 'climate change' from its new mission
• A plague of locusts has descended upon our great country, so I've decided to retire
• Waitin’ on the Student Debt Jubilee
• A plague of locusts has descended upon our great country, so I've decided to retire

• Reality Distortion Field: 10 Things Apple Won't Directly Say But We'll Infer About the iPhone X
• Honda unveils a new Sports EV concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show
• Uber now lets you add multiple stops to your trip
• Snapchat and Netflix launch 'Stranger Things' AR experience and filter
• Best grocery deal: Spend $20 and get $5 off at Amazon
• Microsoft might be working on a foldable tablet for note
• Snapchat and Netflix launch 'Stranger Things' AR experience and filter
• Indie game dares to talk about death in a way few others have
• Best headphones deal: Save $116 on Sennheiser Momentum 4
• Netflix Sony release Stranger Things x Ghostbusters Reebok sneakers