ΑΠΟΤΥΠΩΜΑΤΑ
How we play today
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ΑΠΟΤΥΠΩΜΑΤΑ
Playing as a form of entertainment has undergone significant changes in human history, from the prehistoric era, when play, for the purpose of stimulation was first discovered by our animal ancestors and grew roots deep in our minds, to ancient times, where primitive stone and wooden toys were first created, to medieval times, where toys and physical play got their traditional meanings and lastly, modern times, today. With no doubt, we can notice and point out the substantial changes in the concept of play.
Unlike all of the other eras, today, playing isn’ t usually done physically, and rather more so digitally; according to the Annual ESA review for 2025, an estimated average of 54.3 % of people worldwide participate in playing digitally through video games and other forms of entertainment( Including the silent generation), while the percentage rises to 83 % for Generation Alpha alone. Those percentages are some of the highest ever recorded, only beaten by quarantine years( 2019-2021).
Furthermore, any remains of physical play now mostly consist of playing cards, plush, fidget toys, and outdoor activities which are commonly ignored and forgotten shortly after purchase, or in the case of activity, trial, getting replaced by digital play. This discourages many manufacturers and distributors to either change industries or face the consequences, leaving digital play as the most reliable, convenient, and accessible form of play, causing parents to prefer handing their kids“ toys” such as a phone or a tablet over toys like letter blocks, toy cars, or dolls.
These percentages allow us to believe that overstimulation by video games is the main cause for the downfall of physical play, as has already happened with millions of people. This change in playing started to happen around 20 years ago, beginning slowly, and continuing to get faster and more severe over time.
As a conclusion, I would like to state that physical play has been, and is fading out, and getting slowly getting replaced by digital play due to overstimulation of the public’ s minds. This, regardless of if we like it or not, is a major problem, and your action matters. So next time you’ re given a choice, think twice before grabbing your mobile.
Sources: Annual ESA Study Reveals Video Games’ Universal Appeal Across Generations https:// www. theesa. com / annual-esa-study-reveals-videogames-universal-appeal-across-generations /, Are Digital Devices Replacing Traditional Playtime michiganmedicine. org, Discontinuation of Classic Toy Play vs. Digital Play mdpi. com, Children’ s play and toys in the digital era pacificspiritplay. com, From Swings to Screens medium. com
Marios Malioris, a4