Game Jam employed a participatory design approach to identify opportunities for an interactive game-based learning tool and, to co-design this with young people with learning disabilities for educating them on internet and social media safety. The project involved a sequential series of Experience Labs with the young people and trainers, which spanned a period of five months. Game Jam was carried out in partnership with the Midlothian Council and the University of the West of Scotland.

Using an iterative design approach, four game concepts were co-created by participants and shared in the form of low fidelity prototypes. The final game concept was based on a consolidation of ideas from the four concepts to align with the participants’ preferences and incorporated training themes.
Game developers at the University of West of Scotland developed a proof of concept, which was reviewed with the young people and trainers. This ensured that the game met the learning needs of young people with learning disabilities, and the requirements of the trainers.

Overall, based on findings from the Labs, a game-based learning tool has the potential to support young people in learning about internet and social media safety, and may have application in wider health and social care contexts.