Play's the Thing … on the Web!

Abstract

when we indulge in virtual leisure, the two ends of the spectrum—unwanted social influences and desirable social outcomes—are evident from the scenarios outlined above. A goal for society would be to promote the latter and reduce the former. However, no clear or easy answers exist for this and related dilemmas, but the issues they raise have been and continue to be examined via public discourse. Our goal in this chapter is to continue this discourse and provide an analysis of how our virtual world has affected and is likely to affect leisure at a societal level.