Play Again

Play Again examines the issue of ‘tweens and teens who spend most of their waking hours looking at screens—playing video games, texting on cell phones, watching television, and using social networking sites. The film follows six young people ranging in age from 13 to 15 on a camping trip with TrackersNW, an educational organization running programs designed to remove kids from their technologically-based lifestyles and challenge them to connect with nature, learn new skills, and build relationships while enjoying camping, hiking, outdoor games, and music. The teenagers are remarkably articulate as they talk about the time they spend online, the nature of their virtual relationships and activities, and whether they feel screen time is detrimental. Director Tonje Hessen Schei mentions studies that suggest there are physical, social, and emotional hazards for children who grow up in highly technological milieus, ultimately extrapolating those findings to predict environmental disaster if future generations value the virtual over the natural world. Along the way, commentary is offered by geneticist David Suzuki, journalist Richard Louv, neuroscientist Gary Small, and many others, interspersed with scenes from the teens' camping experience, their interviews and video diaries, and contrasting images from nature and violent video games. DVD extras include a profanity-edited version of the film. Recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)