Photo Caption List: The Effects of Different Types of Play on Children and Teens

By Naz Erdeger

A: This photo shows teenagers playing video games outside on a projector. This is displaying a quite literal way of understanding what playing outside means. This is a type of play that incorporates video games in an outdoor environment. Although they are outside, they are not receiving any benefits that come from outdoor play. Benefits that aid in social development, making friends, and staying active.

B: This photo displays children engaging in a type of play that is incorporating video games. This type of play is mostly indoor and requires little effort. The effect of children playing video games together are that it can be more addictive since there is competition. Video games also distract these young children from their schoolwork and family time.

C: This photo shows a child throwing various colors of balls into color coded bins. This stimulates the mind and aids in the development of the child.

D: This photo shows a girl jumping over another girl as a way of playing. Outdoor play encourages children to interact with other children which is very helpful in the social development of the child. By playing outdoor games, these girls are forming friendships and strengthening their social skills.

E: These two boys are pictured playing inside and creating imaginary scenarios where they are the pilot of a plane. Coming up with creative ways to have fun will strengthen a bond with a friend or sibling and create happy memories for the child. Creativity is also very important for children to express themselves.

Pinterest Board Analysis Draft

My pinterest board consists of two different types of play seen in children. In my topic, I

am studying the negative effects that video games have on children. Research shows that

excessive video game usage can deteriorate the mental and physical health of children and

teenagers. In my pinterest board, I want to visualize these negative qualities for my target

audience. My target audience is parents, grandparents, families, caretakers and legal guardians. I

want people that raise and care for children and teenagers to take meaning from my pins. In this

board, roughly half of the pins show positives in playing outside or pro-social games. The other

half of my pins show the negatives of video game play.

The pins that show children or teenagers playing video games creates a meaning for the

audience. The look of being distracted, lazy, and unhappy can make caretakers of

children/teenagers uneasy. People that care for children and teenagers want to see them engaging

in activities that stimulate their mind and aid in their social development. For example, one of

my pins is an animated video about a mother trying to get her son to go outside and play with the

neighborhood kids. The mother is trying very hard to get the child some fresh air and fun play

time, but the child cannot seem to get his mind off video games. The video becomes quite

comical in the way that the child drives his mother crazy. After trying to get rid of all his video

games, the child finally goes outside. Although he is outside, he is trying to play with a ball by

using a video game controller. This is obviously a huge exaggeration, but video games can be

very addicting to children and teenagers if there are no rules in place. So the purpose in pinning

visuals related to video game play is for the audience to visualize how it effects children and

teenagers.

The other half of my pinterest board is visuals of children playing outside and engaging

in pro-social behavior. I wanted to add this half of the pins to highlight the contrast between the

two types of play. The children in these pictures look happier than the pins of the video game

play. This creates a meaning for the target audience. It shows them the benefits of playing

outside and engaging in pro-social behavior. The audience starts to form their own opinions and

judgements which are like mine when I look at these pins. It is obvious that the pins of the video

game play give off a negative connotation. People would rather see their children having fun,

smiling, and laughing outside with friends rather than stay inside and look at a television all day.