MeLCi Lab to host online talk on in-game purchases and media literacy

Date and time: November 17th, 14:00 (Lisbon Time)
Venue: Microsoft Teams
Registration: here.

MeLCi Lab will host an online talk by Carla Sousa, Assistant Researcher at Universidade Aberta, Portugal, titled “In-Game Purchase Literacies to Support Policy.” The session will examine how young people encounter in-game purchases and what skills can help them understand the commercial systems built into video games.

As free-to-play games have become widespread, in-game purchases have become part of many young people’s gaming experiences. Sousa will discuss the evidence on these practices and consider how young people can recognise and critically assess in-game mechanics and business models while continuing to enjoy gaming.

The talk will approach in-game purchases through critical literacy, distinguishing questions about commercial design and consumer choices from related debates about gaming addiction and the ethics of game design. It will also consider how research on young people’s experiences can inform policy.

Carla Sousa is an integrated member of Universidade Aberta’s Laboratory of Distance Education and eLearning and part of its Department of Education and Distance Learning. She holds a PhD in Communication Sciences, a master’s degree in Clinical and Health Psychology, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Her interdisciplinary research spans games, interactive media, psychology, artificial intelligence, accessibility, and digital inclusion, with particular interests in participatory design, media and AI literacy, learning, equity, well-being, and autonomy.