Digital Addiction: Balancing Technology’s Benefits amid the Digital Addiction Debate

Digital addiction, including social media use and gaming, has become a topic of debate and public concern. This talk explores how and when these concerns about digital addiction first arose, and the ways in which parallels were drawn with substance use addictions.

John discusses whether such conceptualisations are helpful, or if we need new ways to think about these behaviours and societal attitudes, acknowledging the benefits that can be provided by digital technologies. In doing so, he looks at some of the deeper reasons why we are driven to use digital devices, such as the fear of missing out.

Watch here:

About the Speaker

Professor John McAlaney is a Chartered Psychologist, Chartered Scientist and Professor of Psychology. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Stirling, his MSc at the University of Strathclyde and then his PhD at the University of West of Scotland in 2007. His PhD was on the topic of social psychology and substance use, looking particularly at misperceptions of peer norms.

He joined the School of Psychology at Bournemouth University in 2014. In this time he has acted as Programme Leader for the BSc Cyberpsychology degree and as Head of Education. Currently he leads the Gambling Research Groups and is the Unit Leader for the Cybersecurity and Cyberwarfare final year optional unit. Outside of the University he acts as a Trustee for the Gordon Moody Association, which provides treatment for individuals with problem gambling.

About SPRITE+ Lunch and Learn

SPRITE+ Lunch and Learn is your chance to find out the latest developments in the world of Trust, Identity, Privacy and Security (TIPS). Join us every third Wednesday of the month at 1:00pm (GMT) for a lightning 20 minute talk from an Industry or Academic expert followed by 10 minutes of Q&A.

You can access recordings of our previous Lunch + Learn talks here.