An ecological perspective on children’s play with digital technologies in South Africa and the United Kingdom

Scott, Fiona; Marsh, J.; Murris, K.; Ng’ambi, D.; Thomsen, B. S.; Bannister, C.; Bishop, J.; Dixon, K.; Giorza, T.; Hetherington, A.; Lawrence, C.; Nutbrown, B.; Parry, B.; Peers, J.; Scholey, E.

Abstract

This paper reports a mixed-methods study of the play of children (3–11) with digital technologies in South Africa (SA) and the United Kingdom (UK), discussing the interrelatedness of access to devices and the Internet, contextual realities, and adult-child relations. An adapted ecological model [Bronfenbrenner (1979) The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Harvard University Press] guided analysis. Parents and carers in the UK were more likely than their SA counterparts to report children's engagement in object, construction and transgressive digital play, correlating with access differences, especially to tablet devices. However, play incorporating technologies was extensive, even in contexts in SA with limited access to a wide range of devices or readily available internet. Despite relying primarily on smartphones, children in SA were more likely to create digital content unassisted than those in the UK. The qualitative data complicate understandings of particular play types, including transgressive digital play.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 6, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Aug 23, 2023
• Publication Date: Aug 23, 2023
• Deposit Date: Mar 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 7, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Play
• Print ISSN: 2159-4937
• Electronic ISSN: 2159-4953
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 349-374
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21594937.2023.2235466
• Keywords: Anthropology; Developmental and Educational Psychology; Education; Cultural Studies
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/25057324
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21594937.2023.2235466
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=rijp20; Received: 2022-06-27; Accepted: 2023-02-06; Published: 2023-08-23