Playing with a digital swing

Based on a field study in a kindergarten among children in Denmark, this paper explores playing activities on a digital swing, the SON-X Octavia (SON-X) and its Applause application. SON-X is an interactive sound unit that can be attached to any swing chain. Here, I explore the relationship between SON-X, playing activities and risky play, aiming to investigate whether and how SON-X offers children possibilities that encourage them to explore risky play practices. The exploration and analysis employs Bateson´s concept of “framing” in addition to play practices understood trough Schmidt in order to highlight the features of swing play that children develop using the SON-X technology in terms of the danger-safety continuum. The feedback provided, it is found, enables children to independently manage risk and security within the limits of their playing activities; the digital swing supports play activity by enabling the extension of play practices, increasing competence and even reducing danger while increasing risk taking.