danah boyd (she goes uncapitalised) applies her planet-sized brain to the subject of games as sociable software and the ostracisation of teens:
I live in San Francisco - do i ever see kids on the streets? No. Why? Because parents are afraid. They're only allowed to go out under supervision, only allowed to play in very specific ways, in formalized activities, in community centers. They can't hang out on their stoop, play on their streets, play in the park. They can't socialize because parents won't let them.
Video games let them go into a world that is not controlled by adults, a fantasy world where creativity and exploration are allowed. It is quite common for youth to play with their friends, to have a fantasy world to share. Who wouldn't prefer the fantasy world to the surveillance world?
What would happen if we allowed fantasy to come back to the physical interactions for youth? What if kids could go on adventures outdoors like we used to? Until we deal with our culture of fear, video games are going to be *much* more appealing than everyday space. Not because they are addictive, but because they are simply more fun.
My bolds. Apologies for the long chunk, but it's all interesting! Well said, that lass.
Comments