Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace

Childhood risks and problematic smartphone use: Dual processes of life history strategy and psychological distress

Meng Xuan Zhang — 2024-09-18

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) and its negative consequences among adolescents are so commonly observed that they have become a matter of public concern. Utilizing life history (LH) theory, this study aims to examine how childhood risks (i.e., childhood harshness and unpredictability) would be associated with adolescent PSU via cognitive and emotional processes of LH strategy and psychological distress. A sample of 459 Chinese high school students aged from 14 to 18 (M = 16.90) participated in this study and voluntarily completed an anonymous survey. The results showed that childhood unpredictability and psychological distress were positively correlated with PSU, whereas childhood harshness and the two processes of LH strategy were negatively correlated with PSU. Path analysis further supported a partial mediation model, in which childhood unpredictability increased PSU, via serial mediators of the emotional process of LH strategy and psychological distress. The findings support the efficacy of LH theory in elucidating the development of behavioral addiction. However, the direct and negative association of childhood harshness with PSU was unexpected. It implicates the complexity of childhood environment on adolescent behavioral addictions and warrants further investigation.

Problematic use of social media in adolescents or excessive social gratification? The mediating role of nomophobia

Vanesa Pérez-Torres — 2024-09-18

The term problematic social media use (PSMU) refers to the interference produced by social networks in everyday life, where online participation is perceived as rewarding and continues despite negative consequences. The constant gratification (peer connection, instant notifications, scrolling, and variable rewards) has negative consequences for the well-being of adolescents, from the fear of not being connected to developing negative moods. Recent studies of uses and gratifications theory suggest that user preferences, such as the search for friendships and maintaining social relations, are related to PSMU. Based on that theory, this study analyzes the mediating role of nomophobia in the link between social use (social gratification) and problematic social media use among adolescents in Madrid (Spain). The research was conducted in 2022 with adolescents aged 14–17 (N = 820), who self-reported the use of social media, nomophobia, and problematic social media use (Adolescent Risk of Addiction to Social Networks and the Internet Questionnaire; ERA-RSI). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with partial least squares (PLS). The gratification-oriented social use offered by social networks in interactions with other people and nomophobia were explanatory variables for problematic use in adolescent participants. As predicted, nomophobia mediates the link between social use and PSMU. Social use and nomophobia were positively and significantly related, with a medium effect size. The preference for online social interaction and fear of losing this connection contribute significantly to PSMU. The results revealed the need for school-based prevention and intervention programs for digital well-being.

“He flattered me”. A comprehensive look into online grooming risk factors: Merging voices of victims, offenders and experts through in-depth interviews

María Reneses — 2024-09-18

Online grooming is the process by which an adult uses the Internet to initiate a dynamic of sexual persuasion and victimisation through online contact to obtain an encounter or sexual content from a minor. Although there is an abundant literature of attempts to define the risk factors for grooming, fewer studies have addressed the risk factors qualitatively through direct interviews with offenders, victims and experts. Further understanding such characteristics of the grooming process allows the development and improvement of evidence-based prevention programmes, designed to target specific risk factors. To deepen our understanding of how risk factors operate and how offenders exploit minors’ vulnerabilities, the European H2020¹ project RAYUELA conducted 15 in-depth interviews with offenders, 8 with victims, and 23 with subject-matter experts from different European countries. The results, based on a categorical content analysis, are consistent with previously reported risk factors for victims. Social isolation was revealed as the most relevant factor. The age of greatest risk is in adolescence due to the characteristics of this developmental stage, among which sexual curiosity stands out. In relation to gender, although girls receive more requests from groomers, boys are more likely to accept them, showing a different perception of the risk. Other relevant factors found non-heterosexual sexual orientation, and poor family communication. In addition, a high percentage of offenders were found to be from the victims’ environment. Thus, a relevant conclusion is that risk factors cannot be separated from structural aspects of the offline reality, such as gender stereotypes and lack of sex education, so focusing on them in prevention may be more effective than addressing exclusively Internet aspects.

Cognitive screening for children: Piloting a new battery of interactive games in 4- to 8-year-old children

Markéta Jablonská — 2024-09-18

Cognitive screening at the preschool age can be helpful in the early detection of possible difficulties before the start of school attendance as problems during schooling can have profound consequences. While interactive tools are still limited for the Czech population, tools used for cognitive screening at a younger age often consist of traditional pen-and-paper methods. Such examinations can be very demanding and time-consuming. This pilot study therefore focuses on the usability testing of a newly developed battery of interactive games used for the screening of selected cognitive functions in children aged four to eight in a less demanding and more attractive way. The battery consists of three interactive games testing (1) attention (selective attention), (2) executive functions (inhibitory control), (3) memory (episodic-like memory). The study sample included 24 participants of preschool or younger school age, ranging from 4 to 8 years old, girls = 12 (50%). The analyses also concentrated on the comparison of the newly designed screening tool with selected traditional test methods. The results suggest that the newly developed battery is feasible, and for children, it is entertaining and attractive. The designed cognitive battery is a promising tool for the screening of cognitive functions in younger school-age children.

Can time flow differently if you are a virtual reality newcomer?

Anna Manfredi — 2024-09-18

Virtual Reality (VR) technologies have entered many aspects of daily life (e.g., workplace, education, gaming). VR users report that time flows faster when immersed in a virtual environment. Such an effect is supported by recent scientific evidence (Mullen & Davidenko, 2021). Indeed, a familiarity effect could foster such a time compression effect. To investigate this possibility, a between-subject design was adopted: in one condition, participants explored a virtual environment through a head-mounted display (HMD), whereas in the control condition, participants explored the same environment through a standard monitor. Participants were all instructed to produce an interval of 4 minutes so that longer produced durations in an interval production task were evidence of underestimation. Adopting a prospective time estimation paradigm, the time intervals produced were compared between the two conditions. Results confirmed the time compression effect: participants in the VR condition reported longer produced intervals than participants in the control condition. Furthermore, the significant interaction with levels of prior experience with VR technologies suggests that time compression effects may be more pronounced for VR newcomers, thus favoring an interpretation in terms of familiarity. The present findings provide valuable insights into the perception of time in virtual environments, suggesting the importance of continued research in this emerging technology. Limits, implications, and the need for further research are finally discussed.

Analysis of cognitive behavioural therapy apps for generalised anxiety disorder: Evidence-based content and user experience

Teresa Munteanu — 2024-09-18

Mental illness substantially contributes to the global burden of disease, with anxiety high in prevalence. The increase of mobile technology, mental health apps have potential to lessen this burden. However, within apps, the use of evidence-based interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are limited. Regardless, many commercially available mental health apps are highly rated by users, highlighting the need to understand what makes mental health apps valuable to the user. The contribution of this study was to uncover apps that support generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and worry with a CBT basis, explore app functionality, and user experience. Firstly, by identifying apps that support GAD and worry and included CBT. Secondly, by identifying and analysing therapeutic and engagement functions within the apps, and finally, by thematically analysing user reviews. Six apps were identified to support GAD and worry that purported to be CBT-based. However, CBT therapeutic features and engagement features were minimally present in the apps. User reviews yielded 112 comments about the apps and key themes were identified about the app users’ global experiences with the app, and about the combination of technological (e.g., useability, reliability) and therapeutic experiences (e.g., learning and using skills). Future development of quality apps to support GAD and worry must consider the empirical standing of both therapeutic and technology aspects, to provide efficacious and engaging interventions.

When feeling positive is being “in the zone”: How challenge optimality causes changes in positive affect and flow

Man-Chung Fung — 2024-09-18

Flow is a state of highly focused attention, associated with player loyalty (thus sought after among game designers). We investigate the link between positive affect (hereby PA) and flow experience. According to the literature, games should ideally induce PA in players and that this might induce higher flow in games at optimal challenge (challenge that matches the player’s skills). We, however, propose that PA and the flow state form a negative feedback loop, where PA could reduce future flow, depending on the challenge conditions. We conducted two experiments, with 144 and 338 university students as participants, respectively. The experiments showed that under the optimal challenge condition, current PA is negatively linked to future flow. Based on this, we propose that game designers should be cautious about the use of PA-inducing stimuli, as they might form a negative feedback loop with flow.

Is undergraduates’ adoption of the Internet of Things rational? The role of risk perception

Chun-Yen Tsai — 2024-09-18

Users’ intentions and behavior when using the Internet of Things (IoT) are essential issues in contemporary technology research. This research used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model to predict undergraduates’ IoT use intention and behavior in the smart home context. A total of 412 undergraduates at four universities in Taiwan participated in this study. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach was utilized to test the hypotheses. The results revealed that undergraduates’ attitudes and subjective norms had a positive effect on their IoT use intention, which, in turn, had effects on their IoT use behavior. This study also found that undergraduates’ risk perception of behavioral control had a negative effect on their IoT use intention. In contrast, their perceived risk of behavioral control had a positive direct effect on their IoT use behavior. This research contributes to the current state of knowledge since the proposed model revealed that undergraduates’ adoption of the Internet of Things might not be entirely rational. Their risk perception of behavioral control might play particular role.

Acceptance and self-protection in government, commercial, and interpersonal surveillance contexts: An exploratory study

Weizi Liu — 2024-09-18

Digital surveillance is pervasive in cyberspace, with various parties continuously monitoring online activities. The ways in which internet users perceive and respond to such surveillance across overlapping contexts warrants deeper exploration. This study delves into the acceptance of digital surveillance by internet users and their subsequent self-protective actions against it in three distinct contexts: government, commercial, and interpersonal surveillance. Survey responses collected from 356 internet users in the U.S. showed that acceptance levels for surveillance varied between institutional and interpersonal contexts. However, the degree of self-protection remained consistent across all three contexts. Privacy concerns, algorithm awareness, and perceived privacy control played nuanced roles to both surveillance acceptance and self-protection measures in each context. Interestingly, political orientation emerged as a significant moderating factor on surveillance acceptance. Conservative-leaning participants were less accepting of surveillance overall, especially government surveillance. For conservatives, higher privacy concerns meant less acceptance of both government and corporate surveillance. Liberals’ acceptance levels remained fairly consistent and were less affected by privacy concerns. These findings underscore the significance of contextual differences in privacy and surveillance research and provide implications for refining the existing theoretical frameworks.

Profiles of bullying, cyberbullying, and disinterest in reading among primary school learners in Spain

Inmaculada Méndez — 2024-09-18

The most prominent roles played by schoolchildren in bullying and cyberbullying situations are those of aggressors, victims, and bystanders. These roles are characterised by differences in the school environment and their achievements. This study aimed to analyse the differences between the roles of those directly involved in bullying and cyberbullying (aggressors, victims, and bystanders) by examining their attitudes and interest in reading. Participants were 326 primary schoolchildren in Murcia, Spain (M = 8.98, SD = 0.84), of whom 53.1% were girls. A multimodal questionnaire on school interaction was used with an instrument on attitudes and reading interests. A latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted and showed three profiles: a) low levels of aggressiveness and victimisation, b) high indices of aggressiveness, and c) high indices of victimisation. The results revealed differences in attitudes toward and interest in reading among the various profiles. The findings of the study can help customise educational programs by providing bullying and cyberbullying intervention and prevention methods based on the roles of victims, aggressors, and bystanders and their attitudes toward and interests in reading.