GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 

Under the provisions of the regulations for the degree 

MASTER OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN 

on 

Wednesday, August 28, 2024  

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST 

Crosland Tower 2177

Palak Gupta

will present a thesis defense entitled, 

"Reimagining Play: A Creative Approach to Reducing Screen Time"  

Advisor: 

Dr. Leandro Miletto Tonetto, Georgia Tech School of Industrial Design 

Committee: 

Tim Purdy, Georgia Tech School of Industrial Design 

Stephen Chininis, Georgia Tech School of Industrial Design 

Faculty and students are invited to attend this presentation. 

Abstract 

In today’s world, technology is ubiquitous, providing children with constant access to interactive screens. However, excessive screen time posed significant challenges. This study aimed to address this issue by exploring an innovative approach that shifted the focus from digital screens to tangible, physical products. The intervention sought to reduce screen time by engaging children with a playful solution that encouraged physical activity and interaction with non-digital objects. Unlike traditional video games that centered around screen use, this product promoted active engagement through a pre-existing fidget toy, incorporating insights from existing literature on screen habits and parental perspectives obtained through interviews. A co-design workshop was conducted to refine design directions and enhance the product’s functionality. The design concept, Fidgital-Play, was tested with children aged 8-10 years. Observational data from the 15-minute gameplay sessions indicated a significant reduction in focused screen time, with participants actively shifting between digital and physical components. Both participants expressed enjoyment and a desire to replay the game, highlighting the product’s ability to engage users cognitively while reducing screen dependency. These findings suggest that Fidgital-Play effectively balances digital and physical interaction, contributing to the growing body of knowledge on managing screen time through balanced play.