'It kind of simulates me in some other universe': An investigation into children's digital ways of playing #Roblox #Avatars #MyStyle

Abstract

<p>Holloway and Valentine (2000, p. 11) state that geography’s contribution to the social studies of childhood is ‘to focus on those everyday spaces in and through which children’s identities and lives are made and remade’. The world has changed significantly since this statement was made over twenty years ago, resulting in new lenses through which to conceptualise space. The increased use of digital technologies in many parts of the world has opened the door to new online spaces where children can play. Children now have access to online platforms and games where they can express themselves in new ways; and access to these new digital landscapes (or digi-scapes) gives children opportunities to perform their identities in diverse ways. As an example, Roblox is a popular online game for children where they can create avatars and engage in self-design practices. When designing their avatars, children have many options, including choosing hair styles and colours, accessories, clothing, eye shape and colour, skin colour, and the list goes on. This presentation will reflect on recent research with children who engaged in the practices of self-design when creating an avatar of their choosing, after which time they discussed their choices in the design process. The presentation will further reflect on the challenges and opportunities presented by the children when collecting data in an online gaming space, as well as the diverse ways in which the children chose to present recordings of their avatar designs.</p>