Scratch Foundation’s Post

Today is International Day of Play! Play comes in so many forms, including digital games. For decades, debate has raged around whether digital games can contribute to the well-being of children. We recently produced research with the The University of Sheffield, New York University and the QUT (Queensland University of Technology) that found something remarkable: digital games can indeed contribute to the well-being of children. They can allow children to experience a sense of control, to have freedom of choice, to experience mastery and feelings of achievement. Digital games can support children in experiencing and regulating emotions and help them feel connected to others and manage those social connections. Children can imagine different possibilities, act on original ideas, make things, and explore, construct and express facets of themselves and others. All with the help of digital games. But in order to support children and contribute to their well-being, games must be designed with their well-being in mind. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/dyaBVz37

🚀 Unlocking the Potential of Digital Games for Children's Well-being UNICEF's latest research highlights how digital games, when thoughtfully designed, can significantly enhance the well-being of children. These games foster autonomy, emotional regulation, creativity, and social connections, supporting kids in ways that traditional methods might not. As we innovate in digital spaces, it's crucial to prioritize children's needs, ensuring that technology becomes a positive force in their lives. #DigitalInnovation #ChildWellBeing #TechForGood #ResponsibleGaming 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dJQgkueX

Last May, amidst the excitement of #CanadaPlays, Doctors Gray Atherton and Liam Cross from the University of Plymouth made a profoundly meaningful contribution on the intersection of #autism and #boardgaming at Canada’s premiere tabletop game industry trade show and conference experience, #CanadaPlays.    ➡ Over the past few years, Doctors Atherton and Cross surveyed over 1,600 board gamers and conducted over 35 gamer interviews in their work with Asmodee’s program to support scientific #research on boardgames, #GameinLab.    Among the 1,600+ board game hobbyists surveyed, they measured that 25% were neurodiverse people and that 4.7% were autistic people (versus 1% within the general population). Reporting a wide range of board gamer demographics and various motivations and preferences within the hobby, the researchers presented how these insights may be useful to #gamedesigners and those interested in using board games for #educational or #therapeutic purposes. For example, they showcased research on using board games as a potential intervention to support people with autism.    To go back, revisit the conversation and fully engage with the subject matter once more, make sure to check out our playlist. It's got the full event video, the highlights, and an awesome interview with Mandi Hutchinson (Salt & Sass Games) ➡ https://lnkd.in/eiCyZR8A Melanie Watier Emily Bradshaw Arielle Grenier-Brazeau Audrey Blain Léa Martinez, PhD #BoardGames #AutismAwareness #TherapeuticGaming #Inclusivity #GameChangers #Asmodee

As part of the #RITEC project, a research team led by Jan L. Plass (New York University) and Bruce Homer (The Graduate Center, City University of New York ) invited children (ages 8 to 12) in the US, Chile, and South Africa to play a select set of tablet-based video games to determine how digital games can potentially enhance well-being. Through a combination of observation, video analysis of gameplay, as well as post-play interviews with the children to ask them what they liked or disliked in a game and how playing made them feel, the team identified specific patterns of play related to well-being concepts, including competence, agency/autonomy, and relatedness/belonging. Learn more about their research and key findings in this blog post: https://lnkd.in/e4vcVZDT

As summer approaches, many Queensland kids gravitate towards indoor gaming, raising concerns among some parents. Professor Daniel Johnson from the #QUT Games Research and Interaction Design Lab recently spoke to ABC Radio, highlighting the pros and cons of online gaming for children. While moderation is key, gaming can enhance competence, autonomy, and social connections, similar to traditional team sports. Daniel emphasised that parents should encourage safe gaming by restricting interactions with known friends and teaching their children about online safety. With the recent social media ban for those under 16, kids will likely turn to gaming for social interaction, which could have positive outcomes if managed well. Engaging with your children's gaming experiences can foster understanding and communication about their interests. As parents, Daniel suggests balancing screen time with outdoor activities and maintaining open dialogues about any concerns is essential. To learn more about games research at QUT, follow the link in the comments. #Gaming #Parenting #OnlineSafety #ChildDevelopment #QUTgames #GamesResearch #ABCradio

💁🏻♀️ The research revealed something remarkable: digital games can positively impact children's well-being. 🟣 They can offer kids a sense of control, give them the freedom to make choices, and provide opportunities for mastery and accomplishment. 🟣 Children can explore different possibilities, act on original ideas, create things, and explore, construct and express facets of themselves and others. 🟣 Digital games can also help children in experiencing and regulating emotions and support them feel connected to others and manage those social connections. All with the help of digital games 🎮 ⚠️ But in order to support children and contribute to their well-being, games must be designed with their well-being in mind. _ 🟧 Check report: https://lnkd.in/dxrQisyA 🟧 Check out our 14-day free, trial version and take care of your kid online now: www.safekiddo.com

A new study by UNICEF reveals that video games can significantly enhance children's well-being. The research highlights how games can support children's development by fostering autonomy, creativity, competence, and social connections. “For decades, people have often assumed that playing video games is somehow bad for children, undermining their well-being. But our new study paints a far more complex picture – one in which these games can actually contribute to children’s well-being and positively support them as they grow up.” - Bo Viktor Nylund, Director of UNICEF Innocenti. Children are spending more time in digital spaces than ever before, using a range of mobile apps, social media platforms, connected devices, and online games from an early age. This is why it is vital that parents and educational systems learn how to manage the relationship with games in order to foster positive learning and social environments. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dMbbHdJa

Video games offer plenty of benefits for kids, such as enhanced creativity and happiness and increased social connections. In fact, a recent Pew Research survey found that 72% of teens play video games solely to connect with others. However, with summer break upon us, you may find the need to rebalance the screen time rules to better fit your kids’ more relaxed schedule. If you’re looking for tips and resources to help you manage video game screen time during the summer break, check out our latest blog https://bit.ly/3xiy4kG

FREE RESOURCE Gaming can be a source of connection and joy for young people. However, it can also be a source of rupture and turbulence, especially between caregivers and adolescents. This might happen more during the holidays. Curious, judgement-free conversations can help strengthen bonds and offer insight into your young person’s gaming world. Explore curious questions and reflective thinking in our resource to navigate this together. https://bit.ly/3CZjuAV #parenting #support #familyconversations

Every year ESRB conducts a survey of parents whose kids (aged 3 – 15) play video games to see how these families approach managing video games in their home. This year’s survey revealed some interesting results, both expected and surprising. You can explore some of the trends we uncovered by reading our new blog, such as which of the parts of our ratings parents find most useful (spoiler alert: it’s all three parts), and how often parents play video games with their kids. https://bit.ly/4fbJR3Y