ABOUT THIS EPISODE
This week, Larry speaks with longtime ConnectSafely partner Matthew Soeth, head of the nonprofit Thriving in Games group, about why online games matter and how to make multiplayer gaming safer and more fun.
They discuss the social, cognitive, and teamwork benefits of gaming and esports, including opportunities for neurodivergent youth, and how design choices (like player matching and communication settings) can reduce friction and harassment while encouraging helping behaviors.
Matt addresses toxicity, misogyny, moderation, and community self-regulation, and explains why research does not link violent games to offline violence, emphasizing attention to broader behavioral indicators and parent-child conversations. He shares practical parenting advice on setting limits, shared screen time, and staying engaged, and shares his podcast, Safety Is Redacted.
00:00 Welcome to Doing Tech Right
00:28 Meet Matthew Soes
01:58 Why Kids Love Games
03:06 Gaming Goes Mainstream
05:15 Skills and Esports Benefits
07:00 Toxicity and Game Design
10:48 Sportsmanship and Cheating
14:24 Violence and Ratings
18:22 Stereotypes and Overuse
20:58 Misogyny and Moderation
23:26 Parenting Tips for Gaming
26:00 Raising Adults with Boundaries
28:00 Matt's Podcast and Wrap Up
28:36 Credits and Sign Off
They discuss the social, cognitive, and teamwork benefits of gaming and esports, including opportunities for neurodivergent youth, and how design choices (like player matching and communication settings) can reduce friction and harassment while encouraging helping behaviors.
Matt addresses toxicity, misogyny, moderation, and community self-regulation, and explains why research does not link violent games to offline violence, emphasizing attention to broader behavioral indicators and parent-child conversations. He shares practical parenting advice on setting limits, shared screen time, and staying engaged, and shares his podcast, Safety Is Redacted.
00:00 Welcome to Doing Tech Right
00:28 Meet Matthew Soes
01:58 Why Kids Love Games
03:06 Gaming Goes Mainstream
05:15 Skills and Esports Benefits
07:00 Toxicity and Game Design
10:48 Sportsmanship and Cheating
14:24 Violence and Ratings
18:22 Stereotypes and Overuse
20:58 Misogyny and Moderation
23:26 Parenting Tips for Gaming
26:00 Raising Adults with Boundaries
28:00 Matt's Podcast and Wrap Up
28:36 Credits and Sign Off
English
United States
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