Digital play in the early years: A systematic review

• The extant literature regarding digital play from the emergence of the Apple iPad to 2022 suggests a predominate focus on understanding the affordances, features and concerns associated with digital play, predominantly around touchscreen and digital Apps. • Digital play is only possible when children are afforded by access to working or non-working technologies. • Six distinctive features of digital play including learning and development, situated, interactive, enjoyable and entertaining, meaningful, and gendered. • Concerns about the effects of digital play on young children particularly in relation to physical activity and addiction. • Further research to develop a more contemporary theorisation of digital play, and to support understandings of young children's dynamic and ever-changing digital play in action.