Ruth Guest (Sersha) | Ep 1
Exploring CyberPsychology with Ruth Guest: Founder of Sersha
In this episode, we delve into the intersection of technology and psychology with Ruth Guest, a cyberpsychologist and the founder of Sersha, an innovative platform aimed at educating preteens and their families about social media safety.
Ruth’s Journey into CyberPsychology
- Ruth shares her evolution from a career in photography and marketing to becoming a CyberPsychologist. Her passion for technology and human interaction sparked during her childhood fascination with early internet platforms like MSN, Bebo, and MySpace.
- A pivotal moment was her decision to pursue a master’s degree in CyberPsychology, which she completed during the pandemic. This academic foundation was instrumental in launching Sersha.
The Birth of Sersha
- Sersha is a platform designed to teach preteens how to navigate social media safely through a simulated social media experience. The goal is not only to educate children but also to foster meaningful conversations within families about online safety.
- Ruth emphasizes the unique design of Sersha: being engaging for kids, intuitive for parents, and aimed at bridging the knowledge gap between generations.
Addressing Real Concerns for Families
- Common worries among parents include cyberbullying, stranger interactions, exposure to inappropriate content, and excessive screen time. Sersha offers an interactive, educational solution tailored to these issues.
- Ruth’s innovative approach incorporates real-world elements like notifications and conversation prompts to encourage family discussions about digital behaviour.
The Future of Technology and Cyber Psychology
- We touch on the rapid pace of technological evolution, including the rise of virtual reality, wearable tech, and tools like the Apple Vision Pro.
- Ruth emphasizes the importance of staying proactive, informed, and educated both as individuals and families, to keep updated on the digital landscape.
Sersha is Revolutionary – being:
- Parent-Friendly: Sersha helps parents understand platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and more without feeling overwhelmed by jargon or technicalities.
- Child-Centred: The gamified learning experience ensures preteens are engaged while acquiring essential online safety skills.
- Family Focused: Sersha strengthens communication and trust between parents and children by providing conversation starters.
Ruth’s recommended reading:
- The Oxford Handbook Cyberpsychology: A comprehensive academic resource for deeper understanding.
- Reality +,Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy:(David Chalmers): A philosophical take on virtual reality.
- Infinite Reality (Jim Blascovich and Jeremy Bailenson): Accessible insights into virtual reality’s psychological impact.
- The Second Self (Sherry Turkle): Computers and the Human Spirit: Sherry Turkle – An exploration of technology’s effect on human identity.


Get Involved with Sersha
Ruth invites parents of preteens (ages 8–13) to test Sersha’s platform and provide valuable feedback. This is an exciting opportunity to shape a tool designed to enhance digital literacy and family connections.

Closing Thought
Ruth’s passion for empowering families and educating children about online safety is a testament to the potential of CyberPsychology in shaping a safer, more connected digital world. Join her mission by exploring Sersha and actively participating in the evolving tech landscape.
What the acronyms mean:
- IADT: Institute of Art, Design and Technology (Dublin, Ireland)
- MVP: Minimum Viable Product
- TAM: Technology Acceptance Model (the older we are, the less likely we are to accept technology)
- CMC: Computer-mediated communication (how we communicate online)
Podcast Transcript
(Transcript generated directly from podcast audio using TurboScribe, and not manually corrected for transcribing errors).
Hi, my name is Carolyn Freeman. I’m a cyberpsychologist and today we’re chatting to Ruth Guest, who is also a cyberpsychologist and is founder of Socia. Welcome, Ruth, to our session.
Hi, Carolyn. Thank you so much for having me. It’s always such a pleasure to see you.
It’s a delight and a joy.