If Your Kids Play Video Games, Are They Likely to Be Loners?

This is the question I posed to Dr. Dmitri Williams, an associate professor at the University of Southern California in the Communications School who teaches courses on how technology affects society.

About a year back, I interviewed Dr. Williams in a bit more depth. I wanted to understand more about his work because he's found that some video games can have positive effects on relationships. While it’s an obvious truth to him, this surprised me. In my mind, video games isolate. Dr. Williams pointed out, though, that something in common (like gaming) can fortify a bond. In some games, players forge alliances and fight a mutual enemy. This can create a meaningful friendship.

Anyhow, I loved our conversation, so I called him up to ask him a few quick questions over video. Overall, I wanted to understand how playing video games might be more connecting than isolating, and if Dr. Williams felt the same way about social media. In this 15-minute interview, he explains that video games can be a lot more complex, motivational, and connecting than I previously thought. Enjoy!