Critical Technology

The Critical Technology podcast explores cutting edge research on the social, cultural, and political implications of new technological developments. For our second season, we're focusing on game changing scholarship and theories about children, youth, and digital technology -- in recognition of the adoption of General Comment 25: Children's Rights in the Digital Environment by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, in early 2021. The Critical Technology podcast is an initiative of the Knowledge Media Design Institute (KMDI) at the University of Toronto. Produced, edited and hosted by Dr. Sara Grimes (KMDI Director/Professor at the Faculty of Information). Audio mix and sound design by Mika Sustar. Music by Nicholas Manalo. Theme song by Taekun Park. Illustrations by Kenji Toyooka. Podcast logo by JP King. You can find additional info and materials for each episode on our website: http://kmdi.utoronto.ca/the-critical-technology-podcast/

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Critical Technology

Transgressive/Toxic Play

March 15, 2021 • Season 1 • Episode 5

Digital gaming is a vital source of fun, relaxation, learning and social connection for kids and adults alike. But people don’t always “play nice” and games can also become the sites of interpersonal conflict, trolling, and seriously harmful behaviours. In this episode, Dr. Sara Grimes (Director of the KMDI) chats with Dr. Kelly Boudreau, a professor at the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, about her fascinating and timely research on problematic and toxic gameplay; the roles of these practices within gaming subcultures, and their sociological function as forms of boundary keeping. This discussion is focused on Dr. Boudreau’s contribution to the ground-breaking new edited collection Transgression in Games and Play (2019, The MIT Press): a nuanced, multi-disciplinary exploration of transgressive game content and boundary-crossing player practices.

Type of research discussed in today’s episode: game studies; sociology; (sub-)cultural studies.

Keywords for today’s episode: problematic play; toxic player behaviour; gamer (sub)culture; transgressive play; trolls/trolling; boundary keeping; identity.

For more information, check out our website: http://kmdi.utoronto.ca/the-critical-technology-podcast/

Send questions or comments to: criticaltechpod.kmdi@utoronto.ca

People on this episode

Sara Grimes

Host