To say we’re living in a technological world would be an understatement.
These days almost everything is electronic, and social networking accounts for one of every five minutes spent online globally.
According to a 2011 study by US online analyst company, ComScore, social networks reach 82 per cent of the world’s internet users.
For young adults, social networking is particularly time consuming. Most of us will spend eight hours per month signed on.
Melbourne group Café Games has emerged with a back-to-basics approach to socialising that intentionally ignores technology, leaving iPhones and iPads at the door in favour of some good old-fashioned fun.
In April 2008, Christopher Short started Café Games as a unique way for people to make friends and form a community. Today, members meet in local cafés and bars to socialise over a friendly board game or two.
While he admits there are educational, social and entertainment benefits to the internet and video games, Mr Short also associates many of society’s problems with a lack of face-to-face interaction.
“Rather than standing around awkwardly in a pub making the tired routine small talk about people’s jobs and the weather, a game gives you something immediate and current to discuss,” Mr Short says.
“You can see their expressions, hear the emotion in their voices and really feel like you’re getting to know them better,” he says.
“In a board game people who would never normally say hello to each other can interact and maybe become friends.”
