Experience a world-leading online programme of debate, discussion, and discovery with the world’s leading thinkers on the critical issues of our time at IAI Live July. Headlined by the esteemed social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, alongside prominent speakers Katharine Birbalsingh, Emily Edlynn, and Christopher Ferguson, this event delves into the pivotal topics of play, childhood development, and social media.

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'The true object of all human life is play' proclaimed G.K. Chesterton. But in today's world, critics argue there's a danger that we have replaced genuine play and the open exploration of the natural world with simulated and rule governed fun which is profoundly damaging. Studies show the time children play outside has plummeted by more than two thirds in just one generation. Since the arrival of social media, and the decline of free play, anxiety has increased by 92% for those between 18-25.

Join IAI Live July to ask if active and exploratory play central to the human condition and are structured screen based alternatives ill-conceived from the start? Are adults equally at risk of succumbing to addictive but ultimately damaging artificial distractions? Or can we develop artificial forms of play that have the same rewarding and life enhancing qualities that we associate with an open and playful engagement with the natural world?