Reclaiming Gaming (Supporting Play in the Digital Age)

In Reclaiming Gaming, Andy Robertson draws on twenty-five years of field research and parenting to provide a refreshing escape from the usual restrictive, fear-based "screen time" debates. Rather than forcing a choice between digital and outdoor play, he invites us to step inside our children's virtual worlds, grasp what gaming is, and make informed decisions on its place in our families.Learning from the insights of play workers, rights advocates, and thousands of families, he decodes the true nature of gaming, helping us see these digital landscapes not as a threat, but as vital contact zones for growth, resilience and unruly creativity when used consciously. Children aren't just escaping reality on their screens; they are building communities, exercising agency, and learning to navigate a complex world on their own terms.With the UK ban on social media for under-16's approaching, this timely book equips us with a practical framework to support our children's gaming passions while spotting and mitigating the real risks. It shows us how to confidently guide their digital lives, respect their independence and share unexpected adventures with them in the process.