InBits Podcast By Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton Dr Liam Challenor cover art

InBits

InBits

By: Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton Dr Liam Challenor
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In bits: Deconstructing our digital lives Dr Liam Challenor and Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton explore areas of cyberpsychology that you’re curious about, with a different topic every two weeks. From social media “addiction” to attention span changes, from trolling and harassment to online activism, from gaming to online dating, from misogyny to radicalisation online. Our lives are fully immersed in technology, and people have concerns about how it might be affecting us all. There is a lot of poor media reporting and scaremongering in the field of cyberpsychology, but far less evidence-based content to offer an alternative. This podcast is informative and educational, directly addressing peoples’ concerns, worries and hopes, while also being entertaining and enjoyable to listen to. We breakdown challenging and sometimes difficult topics “in bits” to make them approachable, fun and easy to understand.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • What even is social media?

    What even is social media?
    Mar 3 2026

    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 as a pre-print:

    Exploring Public Perceptions of Social Media: A Preregistered Mixed-Methods Study" - (Preprint link) https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/n7xr3_v1

    And you can find Evelyn on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelyn-murray-7ba154248/
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    18 mins
  • Is Fandom Good for You? The Cyberpsychology of Stans, Ships and Parasocial Love

    Is Fandom Good for You? The Cyberpsychology of Stans, Ships and Parasocial Love
    Feb 3 2026

    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 and Fanship in K-Pop Fans: A Social Identity Theory Perspective - Laffan et al. (2021).

    Effects of Online Fan Community Interactions on Well-Being and Sense of Virtual Community - Kim et al. (2023).

    The role of cyberbullying victimization in the relationship between psychological sense of community and well‑being among BTS fans. - Laffan et al. (2023)
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • The Truth About Cyberstalking

    The Truth About Cyberstalking
    Jan 20 2026

    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 about who the perpetrators are, and what drives them, how they use everything from constant messaging to spyware, GPS tracking, and hacking accounts. We also look at the effects on victims, who can end up with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and serious impacts on their lives and loved ones.

    This episide definitely needs a content warning and pleae find resources below if you have, or are, experiencing anything like this.

    Dr Cassidy Weekes on LinkedIn

    Resources in Ireland Information about what to do if you're being stalked in Ireland https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/law-enforcement/civil-restraining-orders/ https://www.stalkinginireland.ie/support https://hotline.ie/irish-support-services/ https://www.womensaid.ie/get-help/talk-to-us/ Resources in the UK https://www.suzylamplugh.org/ National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300 https://alicerugglestrust.org/ Research Weekes, C, et al.. (2025). Cyberstalking Perpetrators and Their Methods: A Systematic Literature Review Branković et al. (2022). How traditional stalking and cyberstalking correlate with the Dark Tetrad traits? Stevens, et al. (2021). Cyber Stalking, Cyber Harassment, and Adult Mental Health: A Systematic Review
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    1 hr and 13 mins
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