We made Pok Pok extremely safe. But lately I’ve been wondering: is it too safe? Parents want their kids to stay safe. Obviously. I have two kids under four, so “be careful!” comes out of my mouth at least five times a day. But we also know that risky play is crucial to development. I know that deeply, and I still cringe when my one-year-old climbs onto a chair and looks ready to jump—because I genuinely don’t want her to break a leg. Risk-taking helps kids build confidence, judgment, physical skills and resilience. It’s how they learn what they’re capable of. You can’t grow without taking risks, in childhood or in life. When it comes to digital play for little kids, though, parents often want the exact opposite. Technology can feel unknown, so we want every edge softened and every possible risk removed. Naturally, we made Pok Pok suuuuper safe. Like EXTREMELY safe. Sure, you can put a chicken in a blender (weird), or introduce a carnivore to a smaller dinosaur and watch nature take its course (eek!). Those things might feel wonderfully risky to a three-year-old. But true risky play is tricky to recreate in a digital world. Possible, but hard for young kids whose parents want the opposite for them. And maybe that’s okay! Digital play can be amazing, nourishing and educational. It’s a meaningful part of childhood for kids growing up in 2026. But it isn’t meant to replace everything that happens away from a screen. Some things are simply better IRL—like trying to jump off a chair when you can barely walk. 😅 Shoutout to @GeekDadGamer for bringing up risky play during our chat yesterday and sparking my whole thought process. 🤩