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Making choices in digital play spaces: Children's experiences
Fiona M Loudoun1,2, Bryan Boyle1,2, Maria Larsson-Lund2
1Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy
|November 2, 2023
Summary
Children actively make choices in digital play, but often face constraints. They find ways to select options, highlighting their agency in digital environments. This research informs occupational therapy practices.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Digital Media Studies
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- Digital spaces are increasingly significant for children's self-directed (autotelic) play.
- Understanding children's perspectives on choice-making in digital play is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and describe children's experiences with choice-making during digital play.
- To understand these experiences from the children's own viewpoints.
Main Methods:
- Focus groups were conducted with eight six-year-old children in Ireland.
- A Mosaic Approach, incorporating drawing and coloring, was used to facilitate children's participation.
- Data was analyzed using focus group analysis.
Main Results:
- Children value the ability to make choices in their digital play.
- Children frequently encounter limitations on their choice-making capabilities.
- Children actively negotiate strategies to select play options within digital environments.
Conclusions:
- Children demonstrate agency and decision-making skills in digital play.
- Findings offer insights for Occupational Therapists to improve digital play experiences.
- Digital play can be enhanced as a meaningful occupation for children.
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