The Field

With over 60% of the world having access to the internet and the adoption of modern technologies inflating every day, it is of growing concern the effect that technology has on ourselves and our society. With that, Cyber Psychology is the study of how we as humans interact with, and are affected by, technology. It is a field based around what technology can do both for us and to us, and the many ways in which humans take advantage of these factors. 

Cyber psychologists may focus on may different topics within the field, including:

• The Effects of Cyber Crime
• Online Identity and Presentation
• User Experience and Mental health
• Online Learning
• Online Relationships and Social Interaction

Application

The topics listed above can be applied in various ways to make a difference in the lives of their clients, organizations, and society as a whole. For example, this can be done through:

• Cybersecurity Education - Using knowledge of the psychological factors related to cyber crime to design interventions and educational programs that educate and protect others from becoming victims.
• Online Communication and Relationship Building - Applying research to develop platforms of online communication that facilitate positive, supportive social interactions.
• User Experience (UX) Design - Using an understanding of human-computer interaction to create user-friendly interfaces that facilitate creativity and efficiency.
• Policy and Regulation - Taking conclusions from cyber psychology research to inform policymakers in creating policies and regulations that addresses the challenges with technology.

Importance

As mentioned, the concern behind technology's effects on the human condition is growing every day. With that, the need to understand human-computer relationships is crucial not only in the development of healthy forms of technology use, but also in the evolution of new computing technology as well. This is because technological innovations are outlined by the needs of its users, and if these users have a better understanding of their advantages and vulnerabilities, better technology will be produced as a result.