“Why Screens Stole Our Playgrounds And How PlayVerse Brings Them Back”

“If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.” — Peter Drucker

The Beginning:

This project is the outcome of deep research on children’s mental and physical health. When I moved to a gated community recently, I noticed several amazing amenities — cricket nets, basketball courts, and more. I went out expecting to see teens playing, but to my surprise, I couldn’t find a single person. I observed it for a few days, hoping it was just timing — but no.

That’s when I realised that most kids were inside, glued to their screens. That moment made me want to create an app that helps children reconnect and play together outdoors. Of course, we can’t blame them — the events of 2019 changed everything. But this project is my attempt to bring those good old days back.

Getting into the Core problem:

As I continued exploring this idea, I started observing how much time kids actually spend on physical activities after school. The truth? Almost none. Most are stuck to screens — gaming, scrolling, or streaming. I realised children aren’t developing basic social skills, which are crucial for their future.

Until they learn to communicate and collaborate with others, they’ll struggle to

navigate the real world. That’s when I understood something deeper — kids aren’t avoiding socialising because they don’t want to, but because there’s no easy or safe way to connect with others nearby.

This observation made me realise how badly we need a solution that helps them

connect with the real world again.

In the formation of the idea:

In the early days, the idea was simple — build an app that connects kids living in gated communities so they can play together. But as I researched more, I understood it’s not just about reducing screen time. It’s about helping kids socialise safely and confidently within their communities.

I studied apps like NoBrokerHood and MyGate, which serve as platforms for

gated communities, to understand their design, purpose, and features. This research gave me new ideas for PlayVerse — such as connecting kids by age, interest, and nearby activities.

I dedicated nearly two hours daily to developing this concept, and each day brought new features and improvements.

Outcome of the Research:

PlayVerse is a product-based project — an application designed to help kids rediscover real-life connection. The app allows children to create profiles based on their age, interests, and hobbies, and matches them with others who share similar passions — whether it’s cycling, football, or cricket.

The prototype includes screens for the homepage, event invites, upcoming

events, and friend suggestions. The core idea is to make communities more connected and bring back the joy of playing together offline.

Learning:

This is my first project that I’ve worked on with full dedication, and it’s given me so much

confidence. One major challenge was transforming a big idea into something practical.

But this project taught me persistence — that you don’t give up when things feel overwhelming. Through my research, I learned about how increasing screen time impacts kids’ mental health, focus, and confidence — and that kept me motivated.

Most importantly, this journey taught me that even small ideas can make a huge impact when designed with passion and purpose.

Next Steps:

Moving forward, I plan to collaborate with experienced app developers to bring my prototype to life and test its real-world impact. I want to learn whether this idea truly helps children socialise and what changes can make it even better.

In the future, I hope to collaborate with companies like F1 Studioz to gain expertise in UI/UX design, and Accenture to explore AI integration that can make the app smarter and more personalized.

Though this project began as a school passion project, it inspired me to explore technology that can help people connect in meaningful, practical way

At Keystone International School, students are encouraged to observe the world around them, identify real-life challenges, and design meaningful solutions — just as this young innovator did through the PlayVerse project. Our inquiry-driven, project-based learning model empowers learners to think critically, apply interdisciplinary knowledge, and develop the confidence to create impact beyond the classroom.

If you would like your child to grow in an environment that nurtures creativity, leadership, and future-ready skills, Keystone offers a globally aligned curriculum, expert mentorship, and a culture where ideas turn into action.

Enquire today to discover how your child can become a Keystonian and shape the future with purpose.

Blog Written By,

David William Avija

Grade: 9