To understand what good looks like for children’s play in a digital world, we cut through today’s anxious confusion by integrating insights from multiple sources of expertise to synthesise the value of play in childhood. Informed by public consultation, we will then evaluate opportunities to transpose the qualities of play into digital contexts, and propose ways to enhance them. Our first report, A Panorama of Play, reviews the rich history of ideas about free play and proposes the qualities of play that matter in a digital world. Download PDF here.
Publications
The Kaleidoscope of Play in a Digital World builds on the recent Digital Futures Commission report ‘A Panorama of Play‘ which identified and explored the characteristics of free play and its importance in children’s lives. This report now identifies the possibilities and challenges of children’s free play in a digital world.
The DFC is launching a consultation on play and invites children and young people, parents and carers, and professionals who work with children to share views on the opportunities to play in a digital world.
Our first report, A Panorama of Play, reviews the rich history of ideas about free play and proposes the qualities of play that matter in a digital world.
Blogs
How does free play manifest in the digital environment?
By Kruakae Pothong, Sonia Livingstone and Angela Colvert Children will always find ways to have fun. And they don’t distinguish where they play – online »
Navigating the ethical challenges of consulting children via Zoom
By Kruakae Pothong and Sonia Livingstone The internet has become a lifeline for both adults and children during COVID-19 lockdown for work, education and fun. »
Problematising freemiums in digital games
By Al Mik A lot has changed in the world of digital play over the past decade. The speed and power of processors have produced »
Possibilities for a future Pokémon Go
By Kruakae Pothong and Sonia Livingstone Back in 2016, the number of daily active users of Pokémon Go rocketed close to 45 million users within »
Is the gaming world getting more diverse?
By Al Mik The first stage of the Digital Futures Commission has focused on rethinking play for a digital world. This is an incredibly broad »
Reimagining digital play: we want more sociability, hybridity and safety, with fewer tricky freemiums
By Kruakae Pothong In our digital play consultation we are hearing from children and young people how they are finding ways to enjoy online the »