The Genius of Play convened a panel of experts at the Family Tech Summit during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) earlier this year to explore the intersection between traditional and digital play. It compiled its findings into a study titled, Why Play is the Secret Sauce for Raising the Next Generation of Digital Innovators. This expert panel included Sara DeWitt, vice president of PBS Kids Digital; Dr. Jodi Sherman LeVos, director of child development & learning at Mattel; Dr. Erik Fisher, an emotional dynamics expert; and Ken Seiter, The Toy Association’s executive VP of marketing communications.
The Genius of Play found that traditional play has been shrinking while screen time has been increasing. Therefore, the digital playground is here to stay, especially as more and more kids have access to the electronic world. The report referenced a recent study by Common Sense Media, that showed that nearly all children (98 percent) age 8 and under live in a home with some type of mobile device. In addition, 43 percent of children now have their own tablet device, up from 7 percent four years ago and less than 1 percent in 2011.
The report also featured a Q&A with the panelists about the concerns of digital play, how parents can make sure their kids are benefitting from it, how technology is impacting our ability to learn and develop through play, and more.
Click here to read the full report.
