Mobile Covid-19 game app proposed

A GLASGOW-BASED technology company is to develop a mobile game aimed at helping children prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Game Doctor has been given a £50,000 grant by Government agency Innovate UK for the app, which will it is hoped will launch in September as a free download.

Aimed at children aged eight to 16, the game will feature drug and vaccine development to teach them about the virus, with analytics measuring health behaviours of young people.

Dr Carla Brown is now working with the company’s stakeholders to make a connection with Public Health Scotland

She told the PA news agency: “We were really very keen to use our expertise to help tackle this horrible pandemic and help with our young people who are feeling quite anxious.

“The aim is to basically let teenagers feel involved by letting them develop drugs and vaccines, alongside scientists to give them hope, and reassure them that you know this isn’t forever.

“What we’re trying to do is get a game that not only teaches young people, hopefully it just makes them a bit more positive about adhering to this Government guidance.”