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This CEU program is offered by Yelp Interactive and MRC Recreation.
We all know that kids are spending countless hours in front of a screen, not only for gaming and social media, but due to COVID, many kids are attending school virtually. What will the future be like for kids if they are addicted to their screens and don't want to go outside and play? What will draw them outside to play and have fun without being tethered to a device? Do we simply take away all technology from kids and force them to be outside? We all know that is not a solution. There is a growing trend to integrate technology into play and placemaking efforts across the world. This is certainly promising when seeking a solution to get kids and families outside playing while experiencing the interactive thrill of the digital world.
As technology continues to advance across the globe, there is a growing trend for cities to become SMART cities. This includes having wifi hotspots and technology integration in public spaces including parks. Recently, the Luskin Center at UCLA published SMART Parks: A toolkit. This toolkit is aimed at "park managers, designers, advocates, and anyone who wishes to learn how technology can be incorporated into parks." While there may be questions and reservations about integrating technology into public spaces, there is no doubt this trend will continue to grow.
While we can't fully predict the future, we know that play will continue to be a fundamental part of child development. In fact, play is something we all need regardless of our age. That is why it is imperative that we look at how technology can be used to encourage kids to get outside, play longer and come back outside again.