Volunteering in return for DJ lessons is payment enough for a top DJ set on tutoring disadvantaged teens.

Stereodays New Years Eve Party resident DJ David Ding, 34, is offering free courses on the fundamentals of DJ-ing for up to 15 teens at a time.

Participants then volunteer in the community at least once a month to return the good deed.

Mr Ding is based in Beach Haven and says his mission is to encourage young people to put down their computer games and lead more interactive lifestyles.

"One major concern of mine is teenagers spending a lot of time indoors playing games and on the computer.

"It's an extremely self-centred way to live."

Low self esteem and feeling they don't fit in often causes them to lead such insular lifestyles," Mr Ding says.

"It's an easy escape to sit inside and play games."

He believes addiction to gaming could also play a part.

"When you look at the science of it, every time they're playing these games they're getting a hit of dopamine - there is definitely addiction involved."

Mr Ding has advertised the courses on the website Ask Share Give and has so far filled around 12 spaces.

Ask Share Give is an online community based on the "gift economy" where people share their time, skills, goods and services for free.

Founder Guy Bibby says its purpose is to build the common good without having to see a return on it.

Most of the teens registered for the course are from lower socio-economic areas such as South and West Auckland, Mr Ding says.

"I am trying to use the skills I have to get teenagers involved in the community.

"The more they help others, the more their self worth will improve."

Mr Ding was DJ-ing overseas when he took time out to work with disadvantaged Cockney youth from East London.

"The changes I saw in them were utterly immense."

Taking their minds off any hardships they may be facing and encouraging creativity, Mr Ding says is a key aim of the course.

He hopes the first class can begin next month once a location is secured.

Go to asksharegive.org.nz or email daviddingnz@gmail.com for more information.

- © Fairfax NZ News