Oxford Internet Institute

Current projects

Past projects

• Digital Social Research: Methods Core

  This course provides students with the opportunity to engage with the methodological, ethical and philosophical underpinnings of quantitative and qualitative social science research practices.

• Digital Social Research: Statistics Core

  This course introduces students to statistics for the social sciences, with an emphasis on application to research on the Internet and society.

• Experimental Approaches

  This course will prepare students to interpret and practice the experimental method, an increasingly important area of social science research in general, as well as design of policy.

• Study casts doubt on whether internet filters in the home protect teenagers online

  14 March 2017 - 9:16 am

  A new study by Oxford casts doubt on whether Internet filtering technologies shield young teenagers after finding no link between homes with internet filters and the likelihood of the teenagers in those households being better protected.

• Moderate amounts of screen time may not be bad for teenagers’ well-being

  16 January 2017 - 5:06 pm

  While a lot has been said by scientists and paediatricians about the possible dangers of teenagers spending time on digital devices or computers, a new paper argues there is little robust evidence to back up their claims.

• Study: Internet gaming’s ‘not as addictive as gambling but more research is needed’

  4 November 2016 - 9:24 am

  A new Oxford University study suggests that playing internet games is not as addictive as gambling.

• A little video game-playing linked with better-adjusted children

  4 August 2014 - 5:05 pm

  A new study suggests video game-playing for less than an hour a day is linked with better-adjusted children and teenagers.

• Games linked to aggression if players can’t master technology

  8 April 2014 - 5:12 pm

  Playing electronic games can make people feel aggressive, but new research finds that the reason has little to do with violent content.

• Older men most likely to link video games with aggression

  19 December 2013 - 5:17 pm

  Video and computer games have seen a huge rise in popularity worldwide. The immersive virtual experience of these games has led to public concerns, often articulated in the media, about a possible link between gaming and real world aggression.

• Gaming addiction: it may not be as much of a crisis as some expect

  3 March 2017

  Author: Andrew Przybylski

  Few activities stir the imagination or popular concern more than video gaming. Nearly all young people in the UK now regularly play games – ... Read More Gaming addiction: it may not be as much of a crisis as some expect

• It Turns Out Staring At Screens Isn’t Bad For Teens’ Mental Wellbeing

  13 January 2017 BuzzFeed

  
  

  A big new study looking at how teenagers use technology has found that moderate use of video games, computers, and other screens isn’t harmful, and may even have a positive impact.

• 257 minutes: the time teens can spend on computers each day before harming wellbeing

  13 January 2017 The Telegraph

  
  

  Parents should worry less about the amount of time their children spend using smartphones, computers and playing video games because screen time is actually beneficial, the University of Oxford has concluded.

• Ari Shaffir: Why I ditched my smartphone

  10 August 2016 BBC News

  
  

  Dr Andrew Przybylski says "There is no scientific evidence that smartphones are addictive in the clinical sense," adding that there "isn't any good research" as yet to suggest that heavy use of social media causes changes in the brain.

• Net overload ‘sparks digital detox for millions of Britons’

  4 August 2016 BBC News

  
  

  Internet overload has led millions of people in the UK to take a "digital detox", according to research from regulator Ofcom. The OII's Andy Przybylski discusses their report.

• Over a Third of Britons Have Taken a ‘Digital Detox’ in 2016

  4 August 2016 Newsweek

  
  

  An Ofcom report found 59 percent of internet users described themselves as "hooked." The OII's Andy Przybylski comments, saying that spending too much time online is “not a psychiatric disorder,” but a natural way of sharing information with friends.

• The psychological tricks behind Pokemon Go’s success

  11 July 2016 BBC Future

  
  

  The OII's Andrew Przybylski has studied what attributes are essential for games to have the chance of being successful. He discusses the success of Pokemon Go.

• Parents know best about effects of video games on children’

  11 April 2016 Medical Xpress

  
  

  The online journal reports on work by Andy Przybylski and colleagues about the effects of video games on children. Parents who play games with their children are likely to have an accurate view of the risks and benefits they say.

• Bringing up Britain

  23 September 2015 BBC R4

  
  

  Andy Przybylski contributes to the series on Bringing up Britain by talking about his research into video games and the effect of gaming on the behaviour and socialisation of young people. (item begins at 17.28 on the clock)

• Instagram show-offs prompt backlash against over-staged shots

  23 September 2015 The Independent

  
  

  The psychology of envy or FOMO, Fear Of Missing Out, is heightened by Instagram according to research by Andy Przybylski quoted in The Independent.

• Are Video Games Really That Bad?

  17 September 2015 BBC2

  
  

  Dr Andrew Przybylski appears in this hour-long documentary assessing the effects of video games. He discusses his own research into the psychology of motivation.

• Good Morning Wales

  16 September 2015 BBC Wales

  
  

  Andy Przybylski talks about the influence of video games in advance of the Horizon documentary on BBC2 examining the benefits and drawbacks of gaming.

• 5 Live Breakfast

  15 September 2015 BBC 5 Live

  
  

  Andy Przybylski talks about the influence of video games in advance of the Horizon documentary on BBC2 examining the benefits and drawbacks of gaming. (53.17 on the clock)

• Do video games make people violent?

  17 August 2015 BBC News Technology

  
  

  The BBC reports on an open letter to the American Psychological Association which challenges new research suggesting a link between violent video games and aggression. Andy Pszybylski and his study are quoted.

• Baroness Susan Greenfield slammed by Oxford colleagues over ‘misleading and unfounded’ claims the internet damages children’s brains

  13 August 2015 Daily Mail

  
  

  Dr Andy Przybylski is quoted as co-author of a BMJ editorial challenging notions of the harmful nature of the internet.

• Oxford academics at war over dangers of the internet

  12 August 2015 The Telegraph

  
  

  Dr Andy Przybylski is quoted as co-author of an editorial in the British Medical Journal.

• Are Game Play and Screen Time Bad for You?

  29 July 2015 BBC World Service

  
  

  Interviewed about his research into video games Andy Przybylski talked about evidence suggesting that for adults, gaming may be beneficial but over three hours play may have very small negative effects for children.

• The joy of sticks: is video gaming like masturbation?

  10 June 2015 The Telegraph

  
  

  An article on concerns about the effect of video gaming, particularly on young men, includes extensive comment Dr Andrew Przybylski, who urges caution saying there is no evidence of causal harm.

• The professor who thinks video games will be the downfall of men

  11 May 2015 The Guardian

  
  

  Serious concerns about the influence of video games and online pornography on young men have been raised in a new book. Andy Przybylski is quoted on his research into gaming and childhood well-being.

• Victoria Derbyshire

  7 May 2015 BBC2

  
  

  Andy Przybylski debated the risks to isolated young men from online pornography with Dr Philip Zimbardo and a group of gamers on the BBC2 main morning news story (12.37 on the clock)

• Today

  6 May 2015 BBC Radio 4

  
  

  Andy Przybylski debated the risks to isolated young men from online pornography with Dr Philip Zimbardo on BBC Radio 4's main morning news programme. (02:53:27 on the clock)

• All in the Mind

  22 April 2015 BBC R4

  
  

  Claudia Hammond, presenter of BBC's All in the Mind interviewed Andy Przybylski along with a group of gamers on the impact of gaming on teenage brains highlighting his research on the potential influence.

• Psychology: does gaming really cause bad behavour?

  11 April 2015 Financial Times Magazine

  
  

  The FT magazine reports on the 'interesting study' by Andy Przybylski and Alison Mishkin into online gaming,

• Amount of Time Spent Playing Video Games Influences Kids’ Behavior

  8 April 2015 Psychiatry Advisor

  
  

  A report on the study by Andy Przybylski and Alison Mishkin into the influence of video games on children's behaviour. The content of games seems less significant than the time spent playing them.

• Games and social media: is there any scientific evidence for digital neglect?

  7 April 2015 The Guardian

  
  

  Andrew Przybylski and Netta Weinstein examine the scientific basis to the claims by a group of head teachers that allowing children to play some types of video games is akin to parental neglect. They caution against losing perspective.

• Violent video games don’t affect kids’ behavior — but this might

  3 April 2015 CBS News

  
  

  Findings from a report on children's behaviour and the playing of video games by Andy Prsybylski and graduate student Alison Mishkin are highlighted by CBS news.

• Video games in moderation can make children more sociable Children playing exploration games appeared to do better academically and emotionally

  1 April 2015 The Times

  
  

  A study led by Dr Andy Przybylski concludes that low levels of online games playing can actually influence children’s behaviour for the better. It is likely that time spent online rather than content is the main factor.

• Study finds no evidence violent video games make children aggressive

  1 April 2015 Daily Telegraph

  
  

  A study led by Dr Andy Przybylski concludes that low levels of online games playing can actually influence children’s behaviour for the better. It is likely that time spent online rather than content is the main factor.

• Don’t worry about how violent video games are – it’s the amount of TIME spent playing them that’s damaging,

  31 March 2015 Daily Mail

  
  

  Andy Przybylski is the lead author in a study that finds that children's behaviour is more likely to be influence by the time they spend playing online games rather than the content.

• Drivetime

  30 March 2015 Radio Oxford

  
  

  Dr Any Przyblyski talks about his research into young people and video gaming in the light of the news that some headteachers will report parents who allow their children to play over-18 rated computer games to police (01.22.14 on clock).

• Turkey Investigating Minecraft for Being ‘Too Violent’

  10 February 2015 Newsweek

  
  

  Turkey is investigating the popular computer game Minecraft following accusations that it is 'too violent'. Andy Przsbylski says that fears are groundless and investigating Minecraft for being violent is like investigating violent Lego playing.

• Addicted 2 UR Phone? Here’s How To Switch Off

  7 February 2015 Sky News

  
  

  Participants at a £200 per-day 'digital retreat' talk about why they feel the need to be separated from their mobile phones. Despite fears that technology is damaging, Andy Przybylski says there is no real cause for concern.

• Do computer games really harm children?

  2 November 2014 The Times Magazine

  
  

  A feature on the perceived dangers of online games-playing quotes Andy Przybylski who says that play exists as a place for people to experiment with different identities.

• Compulsive gaming – something to be worried about?

  18 October 2014 ABC Australia

  
  

  Robin Williams, presenter of ABC's prestigious Science Show discusses Andy Przybylski's research into compulsion, addiction and people's engagement with computer games. First broadcast on 18 October

• Web-savvy kids more ‘resilient’ to online threats

  15 October 2014 Daily Telegraph

  
  

  The findings of research carried out by Andy Przybylski into young people's engagement with the Internet finds that children who self-regulate media use are more likely to be resilient online.

• Call for teens to self-regulate net use

  15 October 2014 BBC News Technology

  
  

  The findings of research by Andy Przbylski on keeping children safe online are reported by the BBC. The key is good parenting he concludes.

• Video games boss reveals he sold Minecraft to Microsoft because he ‘doesn’t want to be responsible for something huge that I don’t understand

  16 September 2014 Mail Online

  
  

  Andy Przbylski says the Minecraft game fosters teamwork skills in children.

• With Kids And Video Games, Moderation Is Key

  7 August 2014 Huffington Post

  
  

  Research by Dr Andy Przbylski indicates that moderate video game playing of less than an hour a day can have a positive effect on children’s well-being.

• Playing video games daily for less than an hour benefits kids

  5 August 2014 The Times of India

  
  

  Research by Dr Andy Przbylski indicates that moderate video game playing can have a positive effect on children’s well being. (also in The Age, Australia, BBC World News, Click, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Global Times, China Int.Business Times)

• A little video gaming ‘linked to well-adjusted children’

  4 August 2014 BBC News Health

  
  

  A paper by Andy Przbylski on young people's engagement with video games suggests that moderate use of less than an hour a day can produce small, positive impacts on child development.

• LOW-LEVEL GAMERS ‘BETTER ADJUSTED’

  4 August 2014 Mail Online

  
  

  Research by Dr Andy Przbylski indicates that moderate video game playing of less than an hour a day can have a positive effect on children’s wellbeing.

• With Kids and Video Games, Moderation Is Key

  4 August 2014 livescience

  
  

  Research by Dr Andy Przbylski indicates that moderate video game playing of less than an hour a day can have a positive effect on children’s wellbeing.

• Playing video games for up to an hour a day ‘is good for children’

  4 August 2014 The Telegraph

  
  

  Research by Dr Andy Przbylski indicates that moderate video game playing of less than an hour a day can have a positive effect on children’s well-being.

• Computer games benefit kids, new research shows

  4 August 2014 The Scotsman

  
  

  Research by Dr Andy Przbylski indicates that moderate video game playing of less than an hour a day can have a positive effect on children’s well-being.

• Playing video games leads to better adjusted children, Oxford University study shows

  4 August 2014 Oxford Mail

  
  

  Research by Dr Andy Przbylski indicates that moderate video game playing of less than an hour a day can have a positive effect on children’s well-being.

• Video games can help kids, but three hours a day can be a bad thing

  4 August 2014 Tech Times

  
  

  Research by Dr Andy Przbylski indicates that moderate video game playing of less than an hour a day can have a positive effect on children’s well-being.

• Want ‘better adjusted’ children? An hour of video gaming a day (and no more) might help

  4 August 2014 The Independent

  
  

  Research by Dr Andy Przbylski indicates that moderate video game playing of less than an hour a day can have a positive effect on children’s well-being.

• Video game time tied to kids’ mental, social health

  4 August 2014 Reuters UK

  
  

  Research by Dr Andy Przbylski indicates that moderate video game playing can have a positive effect on children’s well-being. (Also Daily Mirror, ITV news, Business Standard, India, CBS news, Fox news, The Week, Examiner US, Radio 1, 2, 4, & local)

• Playing Videogames for Less than an Hour Linked to Better Social Skills

  4 July 2014 Nature World News

  
  

  Research by Dr Andy Przbylski indicates that moderate video game playing of less than an hour a day can have a positive effect on children’s wellbeing.

• Blaming video games for suicide is an illogical leap too far

  29 May 2014 Wired.co.uk

  
  

  Video games can't be identified as a risk factor in the suicide rates of young men, Andy Przbylski tells Wired.

• Gunman Elliot Rodger’s videos removed by YouTube

  27 May 2014 BBC News Technology

  
  

  In the wake of You Tube’s decision to remove content posted online by the killer of six Californian students, Dr Andy Przybylski comments on the idea that technology could flag up disturbing content online in order to stop similar events.

• Rage Quitting

  24 April 2014 New Hampshire Public Radio

  
  

  Andy Przybylski talks to New Hampshire Public Radio's Game Show about his research into violent video games and and concerns that they lead to violent behaviour.

• Violent Video Games Don’t Make You Aggressive (but Tetris Might)

  16 April 2014 Bloomberg Business

  
  

  Bloomberg Business features research by Andy Prszbylski which suggests that aggressive thoughts arising from video games' playing are caused by inability to progress with the game rather than from violent content.

• Recent Study Finds Aggression From Video Games Is Due To Incompetence

  13 April 2014 International Business Times

  
  

  Coverage of research by Andy Przybylski which indicates that feelings of aggression in video-games players is more likely to be linked with the ability to play the game than with violent content.

• If Video Games Make You Aggressive, Blame Your Own Incompetence

  8 April 2014 Motherboard Magazine

  
  

  New research by Andrew Przybylski and colleagues suggests that it might not be violent content in video games that leads to aggression, but a player’s own feeling of incompetence when playing.

• Aggression from video games ‘linked to incompetence’

  7 April 2014 BBC News Technology

  
  

  What causes gamers to feel agressive after playing video games? Research by Andrew Przybylski and colleagues points to new findings.

• Violent video games DON’T make players aggressive – lack of practice and difficult levels do

  7 April 2014 The Daily Mail

  
  

  Computer games do make people aggressive - but not for the reason you may think. Research by Andrew Przybylski and colleagues points to unexpected findings.

• Do Violent Games Boost Aggression? Study Adds Fire to Debate

  24 March 2014 livescience

  
  

  Andy Przybylski draws attention to the weaknesses in a study linking aggressive behavior in children to the playing of violent video games. The study is weakened by analytical shortcomings making it difficult to assess, he says.

• How Turkey Stills Tweets Despite Twitter Ban

  21 March 2014 Associated Press

  
  

  Andrew Przybylski contributes to an article looking at the Turkish twitter ban, and the ways Turkish Internet users are circumventing it.

• Flappy Bird ‘Evil genius’ rakes in £30,000 a day

  10 February 2014 The Times

  
  

  Andy Przybylski, who studies how people interact with video games and social media, suggests reasons why the ‘Flappy Birds’ game is so addictive.

• Institute studies views on gaming

  20 December 2013 Oxford Mail

  
  

  Oxford's daily paper covers a study by Andy Przybylski about perceptions that the online games encourage real-life aggression. Concern is often related to unfamiliarity with gaming.

• Older men most likely to link video games with aggression

  19 December 2013 Oxford Internet Institute

  
  

  How concerned people are about the effect of video games on real world aggression is often influenced by their actual experience of online gaming. A study by Dr Andy Przybylski explores beliefs about the malign influence of online games.

• Video games nastiest to those who have never played them – Oxford study

  18 December 2013 Daily Telegraph

  
  

  The Daily Telegraph features the work of Andy Przybylski on perceptions of the violent influence of on-line games on real life.

• 121613 Social

  16 December 2013 Fox News

  
  

  Andy Przybylski tells Fox News about FOMO - the fear of missing out and what people feel when they see their friends' pictures on social media.

• Gamers less worried about violence in video games

  23 September 2013 YouGov

  
  

  Andrew Przybylski writes about his research into how Britons think about computer and video games.  He highlights perceptions that these games may cause violence, pointing out that beliefs vary across age, gender and personal experience of Britons.