Confessions of a CyberPsychologist

Professor Elaine Kasket joins Confessions of a CyberPsychologist to explore the digital afterlife, grief bots, big tech ethics, digital legacy, and how our online lives continue after death.

Guest Meagan Copelin discusses why older adults are re-victimised in online scams, examining emotional harm, family dynamics, digital literacy, AI-driven fraud, research, support after victimisation, and the future of forensic cyberpsychology.

Dr Brigitte Viljoen explores how humans relate to social AI, examining cyberpsychology, mental health, attachment and the psychological risks and possibilities of chatbot relationships.

Dr Jessica Piotrowski discusses empowering children through digital competence, evidence-based approaches to media use, and what it truly means to be pro-children in a digital world.

Dr. Scott Debb joins to discuss how cyberpsychology helps us understand behaviour, technology, and connection in the digital age.

In this episode, we talk with Professor Neil Coulson on how online peer support communities impact people living with long-term health conditions and their carers.

In this episode, I talk with CyberPsychologist Camila Caro about the psychology of online gaming, the wellbeing benefits of play, VR experiences, girls in gaming, parenting and multiplayer games, and why every tech company should have a cyberpsychologist focused on user wellbeing.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the human side of AI. Louise O’Dea brings both insider experience from Google and fresh academic insight into how technology is shaping society—and why the future of AI can’t be left to engineers alone.

This time, we uncover the potential psychological impact of Grief Bots. We explore the intersection of grief, childhood development, and AI. I’m joined by Dr Melissa Lunardini, an international expert in child bereavement, and Tara Steele, Director at Safe AI for Children Alliance. From emotional vulnerability to ethical design, they unpack how children process loss, the myth of innate resilience,...

We speak with Dr Jason R.C. Nurse about the vital role psychology plays in cybersecurity. Why people ignore best practices, how attackers exploit human biases, and why many awareness campaigns fail to change behaviour? Jason shares insights into cultural differences, the importance of reducing friction, and how organisations can design human-centred security systems.

We chat with Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton and Dr Liam Challenor about their new podcast In Bits, which explores the complexities of our digital lives. They share the motivations behind launching the show, the rigorous research involved and how they aim to make cyberpsychology accessible and engaging. The conversation touches on online dating, trolling, tech addiction, and the myths surrounding digital b...

We speak with AI and cybersecurity strategist Tom Vazdar and explore the psychology behind cyber threats, from romance scams to deepfakes, and the alarming rise of AI-powered manipulation. In an age of surveillance and misinformation, Tom shares his insights into digital scepticism, behavioural vulnerabilities, and the need for psychological resilience. We discover how companies can build stronger...

In this episode of Confessions of a Cyber Psychologist, Carolyn Freeman speaks with Dr Seemal Asif, head of the Intelligent Flexible Robotics Assembly group at Cranfield University. From emotional sensing robots to the future of humanoid machines, we dive into the real-world implications of intelligent robotics in industry and society. We explore the fascinating world of human–robot collaboration,...

In this episode of Confessions of a Cyber Psychologist, Carolyn Freeman speaks with Mel Celich, applied psychologist and advisor to Harvard’s AI for Human Flourishing Council. Together, they explore the human-AI relationship, digital agency, the crisis of meaning in a hyperconnected world, and how technology is reshaping identity, empathy, and community. Mel discusses the psychological impacts of...

In this episode of Confessions of a Cyber Psychologist, Carolyn Freeman speaks with Dr Genevieve Bartuski, a leading forensic psychologist and AI ethics consultant. We explore the intersection of online harms, forensic psychology, and data privacy, highlighting the psychological risks of AI therapy bots, digital manipulation, and child safety online. Genevie shares her journey from death row to da...

In this episode we delve into the intersection of eye-tracking and technology’s impact on family life, digital literacy, and ethical issues. Adam shares insights from his research on children's digital engagement, prosthetic technology, and the cognitive impact of texting versus face-to-face interactions. We explore nuanced perspectives on screen time, digital literacy, and ethical challenges aris...

Join us as Professor Deb Donig, an English Literature scholar and tech ethicist, discusses her journey from Silicon Valley entrepreneurship to academia. Deb explores the importance of uniting humanities and STEM, why ethical oversight matters in fast-paced tech environments, and how her work - plus her Technically Human podcast - aims to reshape our digital world. If you’re curious about the human...

Delve into the psychological shadows lurking behind online dating and how toxic personality traits - like narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy - and how they manifest in digital spaces. Learn how cyber dating abuse happens, how to spot red flags, and what to do if you're affected. Maria, Rebecca and Anthonique offer vital insights for navigating love in the digital age safely.

How do emoji shape our digital conversations? Professor Linda Kaye shares insights from her latest book, The Psychology of Emoji Processing. From emotional perception and cultural differences to the role of AI in emoji interpretation. Listen in and discover how these tiny symbols impact the way we communicate, connect, and sometimes, confuse one another in the digital world.

How can psychology strengthen cybersecurity? In this episode, Chartered Psychologist Rebecca McKeown focusses on the human side of cybersecurity, the importance of crisis resilience, and why mental agility is key in high-stakes cyber incidents. Rebecca expounds on the pitfalls of traditional security training, and how organisations can better equip teams to navigate cyber threats. Tune in to disco...

How does human psychology shape cybersecurity? Dr Hadlington talks through the critical role human factors play in cybersecurity and debunks the myth that technical expertise alone can protect organisations. Our behaviours, cognitive biases, and everyday distractions - like the allure of social media notifications - significantly influence our vulnerability to cybercrime.

80% of organisation’s cybersecurity breaches stem from human factors. Dr. John Blythe, expounds on how cyberpsychology and behavioural science can reduce employee mitigated cybersecurity breaches. We talk about how gamification and AI can help organisations more effectively tackle cyber threats, and how focusing more on the Human Element can create better security solutions.

In this episode Carolyn Freeman speaks with psychotherapist Stephanie Jeans about online sexual addiction and compulsive behaviour. They explore how digital access fuels addiction, its impact on relationships and mental health, and the role of shame in perpetuating secrecy. Stephanie shares insights on breaking the cycle and supporting affected individuals.

Dr Douglas Parry examines digital distraction, multitasking and self-regulation in this episode, discussing tech’s impact on attention. He highlights research gaps and urges accurate science communication and his upcoming project on youth and technology use in the Global South.

Dr. Sean Guillory explores the blurring of physical, virtual, and cognitive spaces, cognitive warfare, ethical AI, and the emotional impact of digital tech in shaping identity and the future of conflict.