InBits

We talked to Evelyn Murray, Psychology PhD candidate at Aston University, at the BPS Cyberpsychology Conference in July last year. She presented her research on how people perceive social media and what counts as a social media platform. We were amazed by how little agreement there is! We knew immediately that we wanted to hear about her research on the podcast.    You can find Evelyn's study here...

Is fandom good for your mental health—or quietly wrecking it? We are joined by researcher Derek Laffan to discuss his research on K-pop, the positives and negatives of fandom communities. Join us and dive into Cyberpsychology of stans, ships, and parasocial love: K‑pop, influencers and parasocial relationships, parasocial grief, and shipping conspiracies. Resources Positive Psychosocial Outcomes a...

This week we're focusing on cyberstalking, something far more serious than secretly checking someone's Instagram. We're joined by an incredible guest, Dr Cassidy Weekes, whose research focuses on exactly this issue. We're talking criminal harassment that ruins lives, and we'll look at some high profile cases and stories from the media that highlight just how disturbing this behavior gets. We talk...

We have a fun episode to start the new year, where we explores the psychology, history, and science behind the internet's (and Nicola’s) obsession with feline content. We were lucky to have a guest in studio with us for this episode, Dr Grace Carroll, an expert in animal behaviour, with a particular interest in cats! We trace the evolution of cat memes from the 2007 launch of "I Can Has Cheezburge...

Christmas has gone digital—we shop online, video call the family abroad, and scroll through everyone's seemingly perfect holiday posts. But what's all this screen time actually doing to us? In this special Christmas episode, we get into the psychology behind our online Christmas habits. Why do we post photos of our Christmas trees and do we compare them to more perfect ones (like Liams)? Why does...

We were planning to take a break over Christmas, but Liam surprised us all (including Nicola) with a Christmas special! It drops Friday the 12th, then we'll be on hiatus until January 6th to rest and recharge for 2026. And no, we're not making any predictions about how that year will go—we're not jinxing it!

In this episode, we explore AI's growing role in mental health support and therapy. We revisit the story of ELIZA, the 1960s chatbot that unexpectedly convinced users it could understand them, and examine what this reveals about our tendency to project human qualities onto technology. Our discussion covers recent research showing mental health is now the top query for ChatGPT in Ireland, with many...

From AI “boyfriends” to chatbots helping you flirt on dating apps, artificial intelligence is quietly stepping into the most human of spaces: emotional connection. In this episode, we explore how AI is being used to replace or replicate intimacy, and what that says about us. We trace the story from Eliza, the 1960s chatbot that first made people feel understood by a machine, to today’s AI companio...

This episode explores the realities of online safety for children and adolescents, addressing our common concerns, device use, and the shifting risks in today’s digital landscape. We discuss the research, parental perspectives including cyberbullying, exploitation, social media dynamics, and how we can use legislation to support safer online behaviour. Research Sutton & Finkelhor (2023): Crime...

In this episode we deep dive into the relationship between social media and our perceptions of body image. We examine how social media platforms influence body image for people of different genders, ages, and communities and look at some social media trends which may be problematic.  Research Dougherty & Krawczyk (2018): Gender differences in media exposure and trait appearance comparison. Ryd...

This episode takes a look at how cybercriminals use psychology to manipulate people through online scams. From phishing emails and phone fraud to romance scams, sextortion, and the rise of AI-driven deepfakes, it unpacks why these scams work and why no one is completely immune. Real-world examples illustrate just how convincing scammers can be, and we discuss the emotions, cognitive biases, and pr...

In this episode we dive into ASMR! We discuss the ASMR, the similarities to other auditory and visual trends online. We focus on the content of videos that can induce ASMR, what makes them successful for ASMR-tists and the potential concerns that we might have from an online safety perspective. We review the research on our responses to ASMR triggers and our psychological responses behind why ASMR...

This episode offers an in-depth exploration of cyberbullying, examining its prevalence, impact, and the evolving nature of online harassment in Ireland and beyond. We discuss the importance of definitions, platforms, and behaviours that have changed, with a focus on the link between increased screen time and rising incidents. The episode also discusses the lasting psychological, educational, and s...

This episode explores how extremist ideologies spread online and offline, who is most vulnerable to radicalization, and the pathways that lead people into — and sometimes out of — extremist communities. We discuss the role of social media, traditional media, and even bots in amplifying harmful narratives, as well as the psychological and social vulnerabilities that make individuals more susceptibl...

In this episode, we explore the complex and often contradictory ways we present ourselves online. Are we the same person across Instagram, LinkedIn, and real life? Do we craft idealized versions of ourselves—or does the digital world give some of us a chance to finally be who we truly are? From psychological theories of the self to why selfies spark moral panic (and who they target), we dive into...

In today’s episode, we’re unpacking misinformation from a psychological angle. We’ll talk about what counts as misinformation and disinformation, How “fake news” thrives online, and the Psychological biases that make us vulnerable. The consequences of misinformation on behaviors and society and what’s being done to fight back—from legislation to digital literacy. Content Warning: We discuss real-w...

In this episode, we unpack the psychology and motivations behind catfishing—the act of creating false identities online. We explore how online environments foster deception, how attachment styles and personality traits like psychopathy and narcissism play into catfishing behavior, and what impact this has on victims. Drawing from psychological theories, research studies, and real-world examples, t...

We debunk age-related biases. Learn why caution is key, and how with support, older adults can thrive in the digital world, minimizing online risks and maximizing tech benefits.  Resources and Links AARP Survey Broady et al (2010) - Comparison of older and younger adults’ attitudes towards and abilities with computers: Implications for training and learning Baldassar et al (2017) - Aging in place...

In this episode, we discuss how persuasion manifests online. We focus on how persuasion is used on social media by influencers and how we process and understand persuasive messages. We also discuss how persuasion is used in misinformation and some strategies to counter false or misleading information!   Misinformation Resources  https://spunout.ie/life/privacy-security/fake-news/   HTML Heroes - h...

In this episode, we dig into why people troll, harass and gossip online and what makes it so common—from anonymity and online disinhibition to personality traits, from group dynamics to platform culture. We explore who trolls are, what motivates them, and how even ordinary people can get caught up in it. With real-life examples and research, we also look at how to tackle trolling and make the inte...

We take a deeper look at online harassment, particularly the rise and impact of trolling. Building on our online dating episode, we explore who is most affected, how it manifests, and the psychological toll it can take. Focusing on deliberate, harmful online behaviour meant to antagonise or disrupt, we unpack the different forms of trolling and why it’s become so widespread. This is part one of a...

What does social support mean to you? What are your social support networks online and offline? Do you share content for support or do you see people 'over share' content? How do you react?  This week’s episode focuses on the different ways and reasons why we seek support online and examines some of these questions across different age groups and online communities.  Online peer support for people...

This is Nicola's area of research so it turned into a two-part episode! This time we'll get into the darker side of online dating - abuse and harassment of different groups of people, why men send graphic unsolicited images.  Support resources If you have been affected by the content of this episode in any way, the supports at the link below may be of assistance. If you are  not in Ireland, please...

Is online dating on the decline? In this episode we take a look at who is dating online, why, and what they're getting out of it (and a little bit on what they would rather not be getting out of it!).  This is Nicola's area of research so it turned into a two-part episode! Next time we'll get into the darker side of online dating - but this episode we're looking at some of the positives!  Support...

Are we addicted to our devices? In this episode we focus on addiction, when it is and isn't the right term to use. We look at our screen use, gaming and when or how we use our phones to identify problematic behaviour.    Support resources If you have been affected by the content of this episode in any way, the supports at the link below may be of assistance. If you are  not in Ireland, please seek...