'A New Sense of Place?' Mobile 'Wearable' Information and Communications Technology Devices and the Geographies of Urban Childhood

Abstract

In this paper we describe a new research initiative, 'A New Sense of Place?', which involves the collaboration of private- and public-sector partners. Its purpose is to explore and develop the interface between children and new mobile 'wearable' computing and communication devices. The research team is particularly interested in how these new technologies might be applied to help children (re-)engage with urban spaces. In the paper we give a description of wearable computing devices; briefly set out some contexts of children's geographies into which they are emerging; and describe the rationale and objectives of the project. We then give an account of a two-day workshop in which 10 children were introduced to and enabled to experience, work with and respond to these new technologies. The research shows that children are capable of handling and exploiting these technologies and are able to conceptualise their incorporation into their everyday lives. Also, it reveals that the creation of 'virtual' digital landscapes, which these technologies allow, has the potential to represent adult-ordered spaces in more 'child-friendly' forms. Lastly, the programme opens up new questions of power, surveillance and childhood-technology relations.