Exploring the Usage of Digital Technology for Active Play During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Families with Young Children

Abstract

Lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted how family live, play, and stay active. Based on interviews and activity diaries with 8 families with young children (three to five years of age), this study investigated how COVID-19 affected active play in families as well as how digital technologies have been used to keep children active and well. Key challenges reported by families were limited access to outdoor spaces, upheaval of routines, increased screen-time, and struggles with the lack of boundaries between work and family lives. These challenges in turn led parents to invent new ways to keep their children to active. Parents used digital technologies to promote music and dance, imaginative play, and parent-facilitated play. Based on these findings, we discuss design opportunities to reframe the home context into an environment for active play.