International Day of Play

Earlier this year, the United Nations declared June 11 annually to be the International Day of Play. We all have preferred ways of playing. As a games studio since 1999, Dubit has built playful experiences for every age, around concepts ranging from frivolous (e.g., flying cows in virtual reality) to serious (supporting global hygiene in Roblox).

In this article for the Brookings Institution, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and two co-authors remind us that play is not a luxury or frill; it is the work of childhood and even for adults a core means of socializing, gaining skills and managing stress. Recall that George Bernard Shaw said “we don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

There’s been much focus lately on the role of technology and media in rising levels of anxiety and depression, not just among youth though their declining happiness is of special concern. Usually, the proposed solution is less “screen time.” Screens deliver all kinds of experiences, though, and even post-COVID a lot of young people’s play and social engagement is still “up on the server,” rather than “down on the corner.”

What, though, if we look at the positive opportunities of digital media? While Hirsh-Pasek et. al.’s article covers all forms of play, not specifically digital, it does talk about the power of positive play narrative in alleviating stress and “finding ways to experience, see, and focus on the moments of joy, connection, compassion, exchange, and creation in our lives.”

Today, most of Dubit’s work is for Roblox, an inherently social platform with an almost infinite variety of experiences for all ages. We’re always seeking to tap these emotions in our game-building, whether it’s providing a grieving young person a way to evoke empathy and compassion, helping gamers explore and deepen their faith, dancing to a favorite K-Pop group, or creating and customizing fashions.

Balance in all things is critical. Certainly, there are ways to change our relationship with devices and social media to reduce stress, but we need also to understand the unique relationship Generations Z and Alpha hold with mediums that have been integral to their lives from birth.