In Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University
Cyberbullying and victimisation amongst those with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.
You can find all his research at:
Dr Fiona Clements works with adults with eating disorders in the UK National Health Service (NHS).
In this episode, Fiona tells us about:
00:49 Her background and what she is doing now in the NHS. Starting a Doctorate in CyberPsychology looking at digital inclusion specifically in intellectual disabilities.
09:00 Fiona’s Doctorate journey, what got her started, what a Doctorate involves, what she focussed on, how that links into the article that was published, and what it is like to finish and the impact of the doctoral research.
13:32 What started the project that brought Fiona into the process of the Doctoral research.
15:53 The different types of Cyberbullying. The negative online interactions of: online content, online contact, online conduct and online contract risks.
20:17 The gap in knowledge that the research was trying to address. The different types and definitions of cyberbullying. How cyberbullying differs from offline bullying.
24:05 Harassment as the most common experience of cyberbullying amongst those with intellectual disabilities.
25:48 The impact of age on the type of cyberbullying that takes place and the lack of cyber related research amongst older adults who have intellectual disabilities.
28:17 The definition and examples of online harassment, how that differs from flaming and how the online cyberbullying relates to offline bullying. The increased proliferation of gadgets since Covid, and the similarity of technology use between those with and without intellectual disabilities.
31:49 Practical applications of research around the different types of cyberbullying amongst those with intellectual disabilities. Insights that facilitate the development of interventions to support people, so they are able to independently use technology and understanding what support is needed to navigate online risks and decision making that happens online.
37:17 Additional findings due to be published on ways to support those with intellectual disability who may be exposed to online risks. Inequalities amongst those with eating disorders and focussing on 3rd wave (compassion focussed) interventions and accessibility to this treatment.
50:23 The self-stigmatisation of cyberbullying linked to self-esteem. The differences in the type risks in relation to self-stigma and self vs others blaming.
52:23 Media’s sensationalising of academic research in a way that spreads misinformation and negative social narratives – to push their own agenda. The responsibility of academics to get research findings into the public domain in an understandable way and having to correct misinformation.
Fiona’s Doctorate is from the University of Wolverhampton. Her MSc in Health Psychology at the University of Surrey.
She continues to be passionate about lived experience research with adults with developmental disabilities and their carers; specifically in the areas of cyberpsychology and health psychology.
Get in touch at: fiona.clements@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk.
The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology.
Prof. Dr. Raakesh Kriplani (in India) works alongside government institutions and the Rashtriya Raksha University to train the next generation of CyberPsychologists in India. We talk about how effective robotic, and AI mental health counselling therapy is and what influences children’s digital technology behaviour.
Prof. Dr Raakesh Kriplani is a pioneering CyberPsychologist in Pacific Asia, working in therapy, security and training.
Rashtriya Raksha University:
Cyberpsychology certificates and online courses:
In this episode, we speak with Professor Rakesh Kriplani, a leading cyberpsychologist in Asia-Pacific and the director of the Cosmic Integrated Institute of Psychology and Security (CIPS). Professor Kriplani shared his remarkable journey from a background in traditional psychology and medicine to becoming a pioneer in CyberPsychology.
A Unique Path to Cyberpsychology
Professor Kriplani’s journey began with a desire to bridge the gap between medical and psychological understanding. His early career involved working in pharmaceutical companies and medical colleges, fostering an eclectic approach to psychology. His fascination with the burgeoning digital world led him to envision the potential of online counselling as far back as 2008, long before it gained mainstream traction.
Building a Digital Ecosystem for Mental Health
Professor Kriplani’s efforts have culminated in the creation of a comprehensive ecosystem addressing digital wellness and CyberPsychology. Key initiatives include:
Cybersecurity and Radicalisation
Professor Kriplani also highlighted the broader applications of Cyberpsychology, particularly in addressing global challenges such as cyberterrorism, radicalisation, and misinformation. His work with India’s Ministry of Home Affairs and international organisations reflects a growing recognition of cyberpsychology’s potential to enhance both national security and societal well-being.
The Role of AI in Mental Health
A particularly exciting development is the integration of robotics and AI in mental health. Professor Kriplani is pioneering India’s first robotic counselling centre, which leverages AI to provide unbiased, stigma-free counselling. While acknowledging the limitations of AI in addressing complex emotional needs, he emphasises its suitability for issues like mild trauma, relationships, and teen counselling.
Challenges and Vision
Despite his significant achievements, Professor Kriplani candidly discussed the challenges of scaling Cyberpsychology, including a lack of funding and trained professionals. His ultimate vision is to make Cyberpsychology as globally recognised as yoga, positioning India as a leader in this transformative field.
Join the Movement
Professor Kriplani’s work underscores the urgent need for global collaboration in Cyberpsychology. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or tech enthusiast, there’s a role for everyone in building a healthier digital future.
Wired for Wellness, provides practical insights for parents, teachers, and students to navigate the digital world.
(Transcript generated directly from podcast audio using TurboScribe, and not manually corrected for transcribing errors).
Welcome to Confessions of a Cyberpsychologist. Today I’m chatting with Professor Rakesh Kriplani who is a pioneer cyberpsychologist in Asia-Pacific and director of the Cosmic Integrated Institute of Psychology and Security which we’re going to find out more about later. Thank you for joining us today Rakesh.
Cyberpsychology / media-based psychological research is both under-funded and under-resourced. This is because, along with many other reasons,
There are also not enough books or publicity about the findings from the research that is being conducted that are easy for the general public to consume.
This is one of those books that every adult should read if they are interested in understanding more about their own and their children’s technology use.
It demystifies a number of concepts and debunks a lot of current debates, along with showcasing how a few recently released books (relating to human-technology interaction) have missed the mark and caused some unnecessary moral panic.
There are a number of academic concepts that Pete Etchells covers throughout the book and he refers to a number of research methodologies and results outcomes that can be slightly overwhelming and difficult to follow. But if you press through these explanations, there is a wealth of insights that are very worth absorbing.
His last few chapters provide great practical ways to both view and engage with technology. He proposes that we use technology as tools that we have mastery over, rather than as masters that we have no personal agency over, or inherent ability to manage.
He also provides an interesting perspective for parents around their children’s technology use and suggests some research-based strategies for a more effective way of managing a healthier relationship with technology.
My only criticism of the Audible book is that the narration is very difficult to listen to. For me, it came across as tedious and patronising and distracted too much from the insights of the book. It’s highly unlikely I will build up enough motivation to listen to the Audible book again, and would recommend buying the physical book instead.
Pete is a professor of psychology and science communication at Bath Spa University. His research looks at the behavioural and well-being effects of playing video games. He is also interested in metascientific issues regarding best practices in digital technology effects research.
Adapted from his website: https://www.peteetchells.com/
Dr Nicola Fox-Hamilton discusses her journey into cyberpsychology, from a career in graphic and web design to becoming a full-time academic.
We explore her research on online behaviour – particularly online dating and how online relationships have changed over time.
We also discuss how her Audible book aims to debunk myths about digital life.
Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton specialises in online dating and relationships, and attraction.
Nicola is a renowned Cyberpsychology Researcher, Lecturer, and Programme Chair at IADT in Ireland.
For speaking engagements, media appearances visit her website, or find her on LinkedIn.
Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton is a cyberpsychology researcher, lecturer & Programme Chair at IADT.
In this episode of Confessions of a CyberPsychologist, I chat to Nicola about her journey to Cyberpsychology, how the 2008 economic crash in Ireland pivoted her into pursue a master’s degree in Cyberpsychology – which led her to completing a PhD.
She shared how her unique background in design has influenced her research and informs her ability to communicate research effectively. We also talk about:
The World of Online Dating:
Nicola’s research focuses is online dating, how we judge other’s personality from their online profile in addition to research, how we present ourselves online through our dating profiles the challenges of building genuine connections through dating profiles. Her research focus. Key insights include:
Her Teaching and Programme Development at IADT:
Nicola oversees Ireland’s master’s programme in Cyberpsychology. She highlighted the available Masters programmes and what CyberPsychology educational opportunities IADT offers – both this year and future academic years, in person and online: the Cyberpsychology certificate and 2-year part-time Masters and what criteria are required for each to be considered for entry into the IADT programmes.
Work outside the University:
The talks, webinars, seminars and media interviews she has done and is available to do and how to get in touch with her if you would like her to talk about a specific topic in CyberPsychology.
Her Audible Book and Media Work:
Nicola’s audiobook, The Psychology of Online Behaviour (Audible Only), is an accessible introduction to cyberpsychology, tackling misconceptions about technology’s impact on behaviour.
She reflects on how her book and media engagements aim to dispel myths and the moral panic and narratives being pushed by some mass media and provide a balanced perspective on issues like social media, gaming, and screen time. She also reflects on the role cognitive bias plays in media consumption.
Upcoming Podcast and Future Endeavours:
The podcast she is planning, alongside a colleague – due to launch in the summer of 2024. The podcast will delve deeper into cyberpsychology topics. With a conversational format, the they will explore the psychological mechanisms behind our online behaviours and discuss cutting-edge research.
Key Takeaways:
Talks and Workshops
Dr Fox Hamilton is available for media interviews key note speeches, talks, workshops, lectures and panel discussions.
Bright Club Ireland 26th October 2021.
(Transcript generated directly from podcast audio using TurboScribe, and not manually corrected for transcribing errors).
Welcome to Confessions of a Cyberpsychologist. Today I’m chatting with Dr. Nicola Fox-Hamilton, who is a Cyberpsychology Researcher, Lecturer and Programme Chair at IADT in Ireland. She’s also a media expert and a speaker specialising in cyberpsychology issues.
Welcome Nicola, delighted to have you on board.
Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist.
This is different from a CyberPsychologist, in that social psychology takes a broader view of issues (including digital technology) that may or may not affect a collective group of similar people within an environment or context.
A CyberPsychologist will focus more on the individual level of how a person (who has specific traits that are similar to traits others have) interacts with and is impacted by various types of digital technology.
There are likely to be a number of CyberPsychologists who will disagree with a lot of the concepts, propositions and conclusions within this book. I would suggest that this is partly because the worldview and direction of study differs quite substantially, but also partly because he has not focussed on Digital Technology as his primary psychology speciality.
For those who do disagree with his approach to, and misreading of, the data the suggestion is that he is cherry picking research that fits his theories while ignoring research that contradicts it. Correlation does not imply causation.
Being a relatively new research area, there are many nuances, subtleties and new findings in CyberPsychology that a social scientist may not take into account when diving into these topics.
I don’t agree with everything he lays out in this book. He seems to veer off the main topic on several occasions, creating a few tenuous links back to his topic or argument. Additionally, some of his explanations are based on his very specific worldview that does not necessarily link back to other research. It seems a one-sided argument, that does not consider or weigh up other contradictory evidence.
However, he does present a number of compelling arguments and data to the reader that showcases a correlation between the launch of smartphones / social media and the increase in mental health conditions amongst teens in the last few decades.
Although the book is written for a USA audience, and based a mostly on data and research from the US, the theories and solutions he presents are still mostly relevant for other English speaking Western audiences.
Whether you agree or disagree with Mr Haidt on the issues and solutions he presents in his book, it is still worth a read. But, like any argument, it is always worth balancing it with those who have an alternative perspective on the same issues around how Big Tech, smartphones and social media may be influencing us and our teens.
We still have so much to learn about the longer-term impact of Digital Technology on human behaviour and psychology, especially amongst children, but we also know more than we did a decade ago.
You can read a review in favour of his book in The Atlantic here, and a critique of his theories, research and book in The Daily Beast here.
Below are a few interviews Jonathan Haidt has conducted explaining more about the theories, concepts and solutions he presents throughout his book.
Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist and the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business.
He is the author of The Happiness Hypothesis, The Righteous Mind and co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind.
In his book Slow Productivity, Cal Newport makes a convincing argument that we need to slow down, rather than speed up if we are to become more usefully productive.
He does a deep-dive into how we got to the place of what he refers to as ‘pseudo-productivity – The use of visible activity as the primary means of approximating actual productive effort‘ in a knowledge-work context and how this is leading to burnout.
This is especially relevant in the context of remote and hybrid workers, where productivity signalling is needed to showcase levels of busyness and relevance within a job role.
The premise of this book is for knowledge workers to be less focused on producing lower-value knowledge widgets – juggling emails, messages, etc to feel more ‘productive’ and get more items ticked off the To-Do List. He suggests we spend more time engaging in deeper work that produces greater value knowledge products and output over an extended period.
This logic is counter-intuitive for today’s fast-paced DigiTech-driven transaction-based business culture; where employees are mostly just a number and an individual career is more about transferable professional skills than staying with one company for extended periods.
Maybe it’s time to shift our business culture to a more sustainable, more value-driven one of Slow Productivity.
Cal’s logic is sound and this way of operating within a business environment (whether employed or self-employed) along with the skills we should develop from his previous book Deep Work will give those who embrace these philosophies a strategic and tactical advantage over the prevailing shallower focussed skillset of the majority of knowledge workers.
Cal Newport is an associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University, USA. He has published a number of non-fiction books and conducts a lot of research on the interaction of humans and technology.
You can find out more about him on his website.
We chat with Dr Linda Kaye about the fascinating world of Emoji and their role in digital communication. Dr Kaye delves into why we use Emoji, how they shape the tone and interpretation of our messages, and their influence on the people receiving them. She also shares insights into her Introductory book on Cyberpsychology and how she feels the mass media interpretation of academic findings is improving.
Dr Linda Kaye specialises in Social Inclusion and Wellbeing, particularly: How we can use online settings to promote social inclusion and well-being.
You can read more about her here.
Also known as ‘The Cyber Doctor’, Dr Kaye is available as a consultant to industry and a speaker.
In the second episode of Confessions of a Cyberpsychologist, we dive deep into the fascinating world of cyberpsychology with Dr Linda Kaye, Associate Head of Psychology at Edge Hill University. Dr Kaye, a founding member of the British Psychological Society’s Cyberpsychology Section and keynote speaker at the upcoming 2024 Cyberpsychology Conference. She shares her insights and experiences in this growing field.
Finding Her Cyberpsychology Path
Dr Kaye’s journey into cyberpsychology began during her PhD research on the psychological experiences of video games. Struggling to find her academic community, she discovered cyberpsychology—a field that connected her to like-minded researchers. This sense of belonging inspired her to further explore the discipline, contributing to its growth as a recognised branch of psychology.
Building the Cyberpsychology Community
Dr Kaye recounts the 2018 establishment of the British Psychological Society’s Cyberpsychology Section. Alongside Dr Alison Attrill-Smith, Dr Chris Fullwood and Dr Simon Bignell, Dr Kaye was part of the founding members of the BPS CyberPsychology section (recognised by the BPS in 2018).
A Look Ahead to the Cyberpsychology Conference
As keynote speaker for the upcoming 2024 Cyberpsychology conference in Liverpool, Dr Kaye will address “What Cyberpsychology Can Tell Us About the Digitally Connected Human Experience.” Her talk promises a broad exploration of how digital technologies shape our interactions, behaviours, and emotions, while reflecting on future research directions and challenges.
Emojis, Behaviour, and the Human Experience
Dr Kaye delves into her pioneering research on emojis and her Ted Talk on what our Emoji use says about us and what she is researching now on the cognitive impact of receiving an emoji. Her research explores their role in communication and emotional expression. Initially focused on personality judgments based on emoji use, her current studies investigate how people cognitively process and interpret emojis. This shift highlights the nuanced ways emojis function as social tools, revealing generational, cultural, and individual differences in usage and interpretation.
Beyond Emojis: Exploring Social Media and Technology Acceptance
Dr Kaye’s research interests extend to understanding specific social media behaviours and their psychological drivers. She is also investigating technology acceptance in organisational settings, aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical models and practical applications in industry. Her research findings are being used practically in the business HR context (Net Emotion Index) and in Digital Marketing.
Making Cyberpsychology Accessible
Her book, Issues and Debates in Cyberpsychology (written during Lockdown), addresses pressing topics like screen time and social media’s impact on well-being, offering a balanced, evidence-based perspective. Accompanying resources like video summaries further enhance accessibility for students, professionals, and the general public.
Opportunities for Students and Enthusiasts
Edge Hill University offers a Psychology undergrad. Students can also engage in research internships at the Cyberpsychology research lab with Dr Linda Kaye. For aspiring cyberpsychologists, she highlights the vast potential of the discipline to explore uncharted territory in how humans interact with technology.
(Transcript generated directly from podcast audio using TurboScribe, and not manually corrected for transcribing errors).
Welcome to episode two of Confessions of a Cyberpsychologist. Today we are chatting to Linda Kay, Dr. Linda Kay, who is Associate Head of Psychology at Edge Hill University. And Dr. Linda Kay, we’ll be talking about later, is one of the founding members of the British Psychology Society’s Cyberpsychology section, and also the keynote speaker at the 2024 Cyberpsychology Conference, which we’ll also be touching on.
Welcome Dr. Linda Kay to Confessions of a Cyberpsychologist. We’re delighted to have you on board. Thank you.
The impact of childhood gadget use is a hot topic and often in the press.
Anecdotally, I am hearing a lot of parents’ stories about the negative impact they feel digital technology is having on their children’s emotions, self-esteem and psychological well-being.
Simultaneously, parents are aware that their children not having a smartphone can be alienating for them at school and amongst their peer groups.
And it’s not just about ‘screen time’. It’s about their overall mobile phone reliance and behaviour.
Jonathan Haidt has just launched his new book, ‘The Anxious Generation‘, which is bound to be a fascinating read/listen, and is accompanied by a few interesting articles that summarise and discuss some of these issues.
An article in The Atlantic, by Jonathan Haidt himself, is available to read in The Atlantic and is calling for the immediate ending of phone-based childhood. The subtitle ‘The environment in which kids grow up today is hostile to human development’, provides interesting statistics and insights which are a prelude to the reading of his book.
A New Statesman article talks about, how there seems to be an increasing level of parental fear of physical danger in the real world (which has dropped steeply since the 1990s) and supply their school-going child with a smartphone ‘for physical safety reasons’. Simultaneously, parents underestimate the danger of releasing their children into the online world. Children also seem to be shifting from a state of high play time to high screen time, with teenage years being almost ubiquitously spent online.
The most impactful quote from this article is another argument for the need to restrict the use of phones in schools: “The value of phone-free and even screen-free education,” Haidt concludes, “can be seen in the choices that many tech executives make about the schools they send their children to, such as the Waldorf School of the Peninsula, where all digital devices – phones, laptops, tablets – are prohibited.”
A Guardian article reviewing the book adds a bit of further insight: “Smartphones pull us away from our immediate surroundings and the people closest to us, rendering us, as the sociologist Sherry Turkle puts it, “forever elsewhere””. This may be one of the most insightful observations of our technology use and how it impacts our real-world social connections.
In his book ‘Lost Connections‘, Johann Hari talks about how our loss of social connections was already on the rise before smartphones became ubiquitous. Social media seemed to promise a re-connection with that lost community that gave us meaning and purpose but instead delivered only empty connections.
I hear a lot of conversations around the most appropriate amount of screentime is appropriate for various ages of children, without considering the social and behavioural reasons why children seek to spend more time on their gadgets. we often forget that children learn through observation of others’ behaviour much more than what they are told to do. Social and group conformity is engrained in our ability to survive as humans.
Before around 8-9 years old, children’s primary focus is on their role in the family. In this capacity, they observe and copy the behaviour of those older than them. Take the example of a young child pushing their doll/toy around in a pram. They are practising future adult behaviour. If they are observing their parents and older siblings staring at a shiny screen, it is not surprising that they interpret this behaviour as ‘how to adult’ and would desire to copy and mimic this behaviour in their own lives as soon as possible. Reducing the amount of time they have on the device may make it even more appealing and desirable.
So, the question remains for me: how are we, as adults, demonstrating responsible gadget use to the younger generations? The adage ‘do as I say, not as I do’ seems hypocritical at best.
Without wishing to judge anyone, because we are all different – instead of lamenting the analogue youth, we may have enjoyed pre-Y2K, maybe we all need to carve out more in-person time to relive the values of that childhood with our children – with no digital devices insight.
Most advice around reducing the amount of time spent on digital tech involves increasing the number of activities and interests outside of the digital world.
So, my advice to parents would be summarised by a quote from point 8. of The Atlantic article, “If parents don’t replace screen time with real-world experiences involving friends and independent activity, then banning devices will feel like deprivation, not the opening up of a world of opportunities. The main reason why the phone-based childhood is so harmful is because it pushes aside everything else. Smartphones are experience blockers. Our ultimate goal should not be to remove screens entirely, nor should it be to return childhood to exactly the way it was in 1960. Rather, it should be to create a version of childhood and adolescence that keeps young people anchored in the real world while flourishing in the digital age”.
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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
The Birth of Sersha
Addressing Real Concerns for Families
The Future of Technology and Cyber Psychology
Sersha is Revolutionary – being:
Ruth’s recommended reading:
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.
(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.
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