FionaClementsIDphoto 2

Dr Fiona Clements

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.

Counselling Psychologist (DCounsPsy)

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.

Connect:
Explore her up-to-date research
Recommended Reading:

The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology.

Other Podcasts and Experts
EP4 Raakesh Kriplani

Prof. Dr. Raakesh Kriplani | Ep 4

Watch or listen:
The Work of CyberPsychology in India.

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.

Connect with the guests
Prof. Dr Raakesh Kriplani

Prof. Dr Raakesh Kriplani is a pioneering CyberPsychologist in Pacific Asia, working in therapy, security and training.

Find out more about the work he does on the CIIPS website.

Rashtriya Raksha University:

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:

  • Digital Wellness Workshops: With a commitment to deliver 900 workshops annually in schools, these sessions focus on the science behind digital behaviours, addiction, and neurological impacts.
  • Training Cyberpsychologists: Through certificate and diploma courses, CIPS is equipping a new generation of professionals with the skills to address cyber addiction, digital counselling, and cyber security.
  • Digital Rehab Centre: Set to launch on a 20-acre island in Goa, India, this initiative will focus on combating mobile addiction through immersive, tech-free experiences.

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.

Recommended Reading:

Wired for Wellness, provides practical insights for parents, teachers, and students to navigate the digital world.

Podcast Transcript

(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.

Other podcasts
Nicola Fox. Hamilton

Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton | Ep 3

Watch or listen:
How We Present Ourselves Online: Dating, Relationships and Attraction.

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.

Connect with the guests
Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton

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.

Connect on Social Media :

IADT (Ireland)

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:

  • The difficulty of expressing personality within limited character counts on profiles.
  • A fascinating contrast in how Irish and American men construct dating profiles.
  • The gamification of dating apps like Tinder, which transformed online dating into a mainstream activity, especially among younger generations.
  • The cultural perception of online dating has changed in the last decade, especially since the launch of Tinder and the 2020 Lockdowns – specifically the hyper-personal communication that didn’t always translate into offline compatibility.

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:

  • Online dating has evolved from a “desperate” measure to an engaging, gamified experience, but challenges persist in accurately perceiving others online.
  • Cyberpsychology bridges the gap between online and offline worlds, emphasising that our online interactions are simply extensions of ourselves.
  • Education about technology’s impacts, especially for parents and educators, is crucial to balancing risks with opportunities.
Recommended Reading:
Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton's Research and Publications

Talks and Workshops

Dr Fox Hamilton is available for media interviews key note speeches, talks, workshops, lectures and panel discussions.

Previous Podcasts

Bright Club Ireland 26th October 2021.

Podcast Transcript

(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.

Other podcasts
Linda Kaye

Dr Linda Kaye | Ep 2

Watch or listen:
Why we really use emoji in our messages.

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.

Connect with the guests
Dr Linda Kaye

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. 

Find out more about her on her website The Cyber Doctor.

Connect on Social Media :

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.

Podcast Transcript

(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.

Other podcasts
Ruth Guest

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:

Connect on LinkedIn:

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.

Other podcasts
Carolyn-Freeman-200-x-200-pt

Carolyn Freeman – Adult Problematic Digital Technology Use

Problematic technology use amongst adults

Connect:

Email her directly at:

carolyn@cybercolgy.com

Main CyberPsychology Expertise:

Problematic Adult Behaviour 

  • Online Addiction (incl. Social Media Use)
  • Internet Gaming 
  • Work-Home Boundary Blurring

Underlying Causes and Drivers

  • Adult ADHD/ADD
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Life Coping Mechanisms

Research Articles

Dr Beth Bell

Dr Beth T. Bell – Mental Health and Education in the Digital Age

Lecturer in Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education

University of York

Connect:

Email her directly at: 

beth.bell@york.ac.uk

Main CyberPsychology Expertise:

Mental Health and Education in the Digital Age

Consultant Expertise:
  • Dr Bell’s research expertise lies in youth wellbeing and mental health in the digital age.
  • More specifically, she adopts a mixed-methods interdisciplinary approach to understanding the risks and opportunities afforded by digital media and technologies in relation to youth wellbeing and mental health.
  • A second strand of her research involves the co-design, development and evaluation of psychological interventions delivered in educational and technological settings.
Media Articles
The dark side of Strava: What happens when users lose control

Applications can have unintended consequences that reach beyond what they were originally created for. 

In this article Dr Bell contributes to a discussion on the downsides of applications like Strava, saying that using these apps can make ‘these people feel demotivated and stops them from engaging in physical activity.’

Or download a PDF of the article from the media website page.

Dr Linda Kaye 2

Dr Linda K Kaye – Social Inclusion and Wellbeing

Reader in Psychology

@ Edge Hill University, United Kingdom

Connect:

Email her directly at: Linda.kaye@edgehill.ac.uk

Main CyberPsychology Expertise:

How we can use online settings to promote social inclusion and well-being

Other Specialisations:

How “social” is social media?

How social media relates to well-being.

Are emoji emotional?

Consultant Expertise:

Also known as ‘The Cyber Doctor’, Dr Kaye is available as a consultant to industry and a speaker. 

Find out more about her on her website The Cyber Doctor.

Books Published
Issues and Debates in CyberPsychology

Released in January 2022

You can read a sample of the book, including the introduction and the beginning of Chapter 2. 

This comprehensive and accessibly written book brings together in one place for the first time the wealth of debates within cyberpsychology. What is the difference between screen time and screen use, and why has one been pathologised while the other has not? Is social media really bad for well-being?

This book considers these issues and more, in depth, with clear, informed resolutions and conclusions no longer being mediated by jargon-filled articles or misrepresentative media headlines. 

In this video, Dr Kaye introduces her book.

You can watch the remainder of her chapter videos directly on her website page

Book Chapters - written as a contributor

You can find a list of book chapters that Dr Kaye has contributed to or published here.

Media Articles
Maintaining connections during remote or hybrid working

In socially distanced times, connected games emerge as key social spaces

In this article Dr Kaye showcases how Digital games can help people stay connected when not physically together.

Or download a PDF of the article from the media website page.

Move over zoom – voice memos are the real way to stay in touch

This article covers how voice memos and voice notes can support the feeling of being connected. 

Or download a PDF of the article from the media website page.

The Zoom Boom: how video-calling became a blessing – and a curse

This article is about the role of video calls / conferencing – including the benefits and the drawbacks for employees.

Or download a PDF of the article from the media website page.

The Real Social Benefits of Video Games

This article highlights key social benefits of Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) gaming.

Or download a PDF of the article from the media website page.

Understanding employee well-being during remote or distributed working

Why WhatsApp might actually be good for your mental health

This article talks about how WhatsApp may help support group bonds and promote good well-being.

Or download a PDF of the article from the media website page.

How to handle tech stress (and communicate effectively) while working from home

This article is on how to handle “tech stress” when working from home.

Or download a PDF of the article from the media website page.

Mindful Appy is a company that Dr Kaye partners with. They seek to understand mood from the emoji people use as a way of gauging well-being / sentiment.

Form Score is a charity that Dr Kaye partners with. She is on the Advisory Board for the development of the FormScore App. This is a mental health disclosure app for use in businesses to support workplace well-being. Business leaders can use a dashboard to gauge team well-being.

CyberSecurity during remote working

Fake Dragon’s Den Scams: Why are we falling for them? – Which?

Criminals are exploiting trusted global websites to post fake celebrity endorsements for cryptocurrency, in one of the most prolific internet scams Which? has seen. Personality profiles may be part of understanding risks of susceptibility to scams.

Or download a PDF of the article from the media website page.

How your personality could increase your fraud risk – and what to look out for

This article covers how your personality could increase your fraud risk – and what to look out for Which? speaks to a cyber psychologist to understand three popular personality types and how scammers can target them.

Or download a PDF of the article from the media website page.

Urgent need for new way to discuss business risk

This article highlights psychological insights into the cognitive biases behind susceptibility to cyber-risks is needed from new research revealing that 90% of IT decision makers claim their business would be willing to compromise on cybersecurity in favor of digital transformation, productivity, or other goals.

Or download a PDF of the article from the media website page.

Employee Security Training is Vital to Remote Success

Trend Micro commissioned Dr Linda Kaye, Cyberpsychology Academic at Edge Hill University, to profile four employee personas based on their cybersecurity behaviors: fearful, conscientious, ignorant and daredevil. Personalised cybersecurity training is useful.

Or download a PDF of the article from the media website page.

Personalised working

When the job hunts you

This article is on the potential future of jobs – specifically CyberPsychometrics: how to use online data to (more accurately) understand someone’s personality in HR/recruitment processes.

Big tech’s data gathering mission bore fruit in the advancement of psychometric assessment testing in the recruitment process. This has become widely-known as ‘auto-generated psychometric profiling’ (AGPP). We are no longer reliant on time- and resource-heavy processes of organising recruitment assessment days and having to administer and analyse psychometric tests (which we recognised were often subject to social desirability). Instead, we can understand a potential candidate’s personality via their data from ‘big tech’, which allows us a much more efficient and accurate means of garnering their psychological profile to support the ‘matching and suitability’ process for a given job opportunity

Or download a PDF of the article from the media website page.

Talks, Conferences and Podcasts
What your emoji says about you (22 Nov 2017)

Why do we use emoji? What do other people think about us when we use emoji? These are some of the questions this talk addresses by drawing on the research which has been done on the psychology of emoji.

Psyched To Be With You Podcast with Chris Leech (26 Sept 2021)

The fifth episode of “Psyched to be with you” the Talkshow part of Blind Psyche. All things social psychology, emojis in research, TedX talks, PR and Dr Kaye’s upcoming book! This bumper edition episode with Dr Linda Kaye!

Collection of invited talks

You can find a list of talks that Dr Kaye has presented at on her website. Each talk includes downloadable slides and links to any video or audio recordings.

Research Articles
Published Journal Articles

All of Dr Kaye’s published journal articles are listed on her website. 

Featured Articles

These are key questions people often want to know about. Each piece of research includes:

  • a link to the published paper
  • a link to the pre-print which is publicly available on OSF
  • and an audio summary.

Other Work

Digital Marketing

An area of ongoing interest to Dr Kaye is how CyberPsychology can underpin effective (digital) marketing. This may include: 

  • Social media and well-being- how different types of social media use may relate to digital marketers’ well-being; implications for workplace and workload policies surrounding social media use when part of job descriptions
  • Psychology of communication- efficacy and effectiveness of different modalities of media on audience receptivity, engagement, memory, attitudes towards target product/service, subsequent behaviour
  • Psychology of persuasion/influence- putting in practice key principles of persuasion; susceptibility, likelihood of receptivity/influence, attention and cognitive processing
  • Social psychology of social media- creating social norms online, the influence of social norms, promoting collective identity, building rapport, how language functions on social inclusion & community
John_Blythe

Dr John Blythe – Human Aspects of Cyber Security

Director of Cyber Workforce Psychology

@ Immersive Labs

Dr Blythe also holds a Honorary Research Fellowship with the Dawes Centre for Future Crime at UCL. 

Follow:
Connect:

You can connect with John via Twitter or LinkedIn.

Main CyberPsychology Expertise:

The Psychology of Cyber Security

Other Specialisations

Behaviour Change

Consultant Expertise:
  • He has worked across industry, government and academia.
  • Has previously worked as a Behavioural Scientist Lead at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport working on cybersecurity policy
  • Is a committee member of the CyberPsychology section of the BPS
  • Is an Expert Fellow of SPRITE+ Hub https://spritehub.org/
Videos and Podcasts
Human aspect of cybersecurity in organisations (July 2020)

The interview covers:

  • John’s background and his journey into working in cyber security.
  • The increased focus on the human aspect of cyber security in the past 10 years
  • The implications of punishment in organisations
  • Personalisation of behaviour change interventions encouraging security behaviours
  • How do we encourage people to care about what happens to their data.
The Internet of Things and Consumer (15 Aug 2018)

John was interviewed by the American Psychological Association about cyberpsychology and the Internet of Things. He covers:

  • Why crime harvest is likely to occur with smart home tech
  • Why regulation and other interventions are needed to address security issues
  • How best to support consumers buying smart products

You can read the White Papers associated with this webinar here and here

Workplace Technology Research
2021

Remote Working Pre- and Post-COVID-19: An Analysis of New Threats and Risks to Security and Privacy

This paper explores the impact of COVID-19 on the security risks of remote working.

2020

Phishing Your Staff: A Double-Edged Sword?

Naming and shaming. Taking away IT assets. Compulsory training. Lots of companies are doing it, but should they? This paper explores the impact of punishment on staff wellbeing and productivity.

2019

Human Cyber Risk Management by Security Awareness Professionals: Carrots or Sticks to Drive Behaviour Change?

Organisations employ “carrots” (rewards) and “sticks” (sanctions) to reduce risky behaviour. The findings revealed that organisations use a variety of rewards and sanctions within their campaigns, with sanctions being used across 90% of the organisations. Our findings suggest the need for a greater consideration of the human element of cyber security.

2018

Costly but effective: Comparing the factors that influence employee anti-malware behaviours.

We test what influences staff security behaviour and find that focussing on helping people to cope with security threats is more effective than scaring them.

Other Technology Research

2020

The impact of IoT security labelling on consumer product choice and willingness to pay

We test how different types of product labelling affect consumer choice and security decisions.

October 2019

A systematic review of crime facilitated by the consumer Internet of Things

This review suggests that the consumer IoT presents substantial new opportunities for offending and intervention is needed now to prevent an IoT crime harvest.

2017

The role of trust in eHealth websites: The enduring power of impartiality

We explore how people trust health websites and find that impartiality is a stable factor that influences whether people trust information online and then act upon it.

Jing-Reilly-300x300

Jing Reilly – Marketing

CyberPsychology & Marketing Consulting

Main CyberPsychology Expertise:

Psychology of:

  • Digital Marketing
  • Social Media
  • Content Marketing
  • Online Branding
Consultant Expertise:

B2B marketer with over a decade of experience working for international high-tech companies including Facebook and IBM.

Research Articles