Connect with us on social media
Research_
Cyberpsychology Research Group
Investigating the impact of technology on human behaviour
We are dedicated to working with industry partners, NGOs and government organisations on digital solutions that aim to positively impact societal and health outcomes, as well as expanding education and training in the field of cyberpsychology, digital health and cyber security.
About us
The Cyberpsychology Research Group (CRG) at The University of Sydney was established in 2017 as Australia’s first research team to investigate the impact of consumer technologies (such as smartphones, video games, social networking, wearable technology, VR and AI) on human behaviour. Since its inception, this multidisciplinary translational research team has grown exponentially to provide education and research training in applied psychology, cyber security, consumer user experience testing, and innovation development in human centred computing. We are recognised internationally by other esteemed higher learning institutes and the World Health Organisation through our published papers and reports.
The CRG works closely with industry partners and international research and teaching institutes to establish an evidence-base for digital solutions that aim to positively impact health and broader issues related to cyber security.
The Cyberpsychology Research Group
An archive of selected CRG television and radio appearances can be found on our YouTube channel.
Our research
Our specific research looks at individual and group attitudes, cognition, and behavioural outcomes arising from the use of personal and organisational digital technology. Research areas of focus include:
- digital mental health
- cyber security and online deception
- digital therapies
- online counselling
- social media
- internet addiction
- cyberbullying
- artificial intelligence
- mobile applications and wearable technology
- virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality
- games and gamification for health.
- My Circle: Giving young people choice, and control, of their mental health support. (partnership with Yourtown and Bupa Health Foundation)
- APY-Project: Determining priorities for Aussie-Pacific Youths’ health and wellbeing in the digital era
- The use of online communities by health professionals
- Implementation of Virtual Reality intervention for adolescent distress in emergency departments (partnership with Western Sydney Local Health District)
- The effect of videogaming on social capital: Exploring relationships online
- How authentic self-expression on social media relates to personality, self-concept and self-disclosure behaviours
- Providing self-led mental health support through Artificial Intelligence
- Instagram and well-being: Multi-project research investigating the relationships between motivation, online behaviours, Instagram context, and social support and well-being
- Ridout, B., Amon, K., Forsyth, R., Campbell, A (2023). Development and evaluation of Kids Helpline’s My Circle. Sydney, Australia: The University of Sydney.
- Ridout, B., McKay, M., Amon, K., & Campbell, A. (2019). Mobile Myanmar: The impact of social media on young people in conflict-affected regions of Myanmar. Yangon, Myanmar: Save the Children Myanmar and The University of Sydney.
- The application of socio-technical systems methods to predict compliance and interventions during brand-impersonation scams. Partnership with ANU and Monash University; Lacey, D., Goode, S., Campbell, A., Whitty, M., Ridout, B.; Amazon and IDCARE, 2023-2024.
- My Circle: Giving young people choice, and control, of their mental health support. Partnership with Yourtown; Campbell, A., Ridout, B.; Bupa Health Foundation, 2020-2022.
- Impact of Social Media on Myanmar Youth. Ridout, B., & Campbell, A.; Save The Children, 2019.
- KHL Circles: Efficacy trial of Kids Helpline Circles - A secure online social network for young people; Campbell, A. & Ridout, B.; Yourtown, 2016–2019.
- Experiences of the Family Law Court Circuit for Children who use social network support for their journey; Campbell, A. & Ridout, B.; Family Law Society, 2016.
- Evaluation of SANE Australia Thriving Communities project; Goggin G., Smith-Merry, J., Campbell, A., Hutchinson, J., Ridout, B., McKenzie, K., Werder, O. & Curtis, R.; National Mental Health Commission, 2016–2017.
- Virtual World Health Interview training for Health Sciences professionals; Campbell, A.; Office of Learning and Teaching, 2011–2012.
Course and degree programs
We provide education in the field of cyberpsychology, digital mental health and cyber security, offering a range of course options for undergraduate students interested in initial training in cyberpsychology, with more advanced programs for graduate and post-doctoral researchers.
If you would like an introduction to cyberpsychology or digital health, our team teaches the following units for all undergraduate students at The University of Sydney to enrol in as electives (pending availability of your enrolled degree course). We welcome existing University of Sydney undergraduate students as well as international exchange, or study abroad students:
BIDH3146 – Cyberpsychology in Digital Health
HSBH2009 – Innovations in eHealth
BIDH3008 – Digital health in practice
Our team members regularly supervise small research projects for fourth year (honours year) students at The University of Sydney.
If you are interested in enrolling in an Honours year and want to complete a small research project in cyberpsychology or eHealth, please contact our team members directly to discuss your project ideas and to determine if we can accommodate supervising you.
Visit the profiles of our research leaders in the 'our people' section of this page to review our supervisor research areas and to contact a potential supervisor for your HDR program.
If you are interested in a career in Cyberpsychology or digital health, why not consider undertaking a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) as a Masters or PhD candidate in a specific interest area?
Our team have supervised many Masters and PhD students to graduation in the areas of e-mental health, serious games, online counselling, social networking for health and behaviour change, to name but a few broad areas valued by industry, government and research sectors.
If you are considering enrolling in a HDR program, please first speak with a potential supervisor about your proposed project and career goals.
Visit the profiles of our research leaders in the 'our people' section of this page to review our supervisor research areas and to contact a potential supervisor for your HDR program.
Please also see the announcement above regarding IDCARE Cyberpsychology Research PhD Scholarship opportunities.
The CRG welcomes enquiries from potential post-doctoral researchers seeking Early Career Research (ECR) experience within our team. Please contact Associate Professor Andrew Campbell to discuss existing or future opportunities.
In the media
Cyberpsychology Research Group (CRG) team members are regularly interviewed in the national and international media and sourced for speaking events. Below is a selection of our more topical media appearances and press releases over the years.
An archive of selected CRG television and radio appearances can be found on the Sydney Cyberpsychology Research Group YouTube channel.
For real-time updates, follow us on Twitter ‘X’ or Instagram.
- Campbell, A. (2023). Leora Interview: Relationships and Communication
- Ridout, B. (2023). Sydney Morning Herald: Phone-free families: The parents keeping their kids off social media
- Rollin, A., Ridout, B., & Campbell, A. (2021). Inspire Issue 21: Understanding the consumer experience to enhance quality care in the digital age
- Ridout, B. (2021) ABC Radio National: Facebook's Metaverse a dangerous breeding ground for crime and mental health issues, experts say
- Ridout, B. (2021) 2SER Radio: Exclusive social media for children
- Ridout, B. (2019). The Conversation: How to deal with smartphone stress
- Campbell, A. (2019). Outside the Square: Phone addiction - Mental health and inner lives
- Ridout, B. (2019). Teen Vogue: Why our generation is hooked on failure TV
- Ridout, B. (2019). The Sunday Telegraph: Ode to envy.
- Ridout, B. (2019). Is being a reality TV contestant the only way to escape your smartphone?
- Brewer, J. (2019). ABC Q&A: Excessive screen time: Managing children's digital use
- Ridout, B. (2019). ABC News: Reducing social media use and staying active can help fight off winter blues
- Brewer, J. (2019). Digital detoxing is the tech equivalent of a juice cleanse - and neither of them work
- Campbell, A. (2019). ABC Radio Melbourne: Talking Life 2.0
- Campbell, A. (2019). Primer: Why we share memes in times of tragedy
- Ridout, B. (2019). ABC News: Parents condemn online-only homework program for eight-year-olds
- Ridout, B. (2019). Washington Examiner: Screen time may not be so bad after all
- Campbell, A. (2019). ABC News: Instagram, Snapchat groups in Canberra host dozens of videos showing fights between children
- Ridout, B. (2019). ABC News: Screen time given too much blame for its effect on young people's mental health, study finds
- Brewer, J. (2018). 3AW Radio: Why we feel compelled to share food photos on social media
- Ridout, B. (2018). Inside Digital Health: Social media's future could be in treating mental health
- Campbell, A. (2018). ABC The Drum: Online trolling of media commentators
- Ridout, B. & Brewer, J. (2018). 2SER Radio: Social media's impact on mental health
- Campbell, A. (2018). ABC News: World Health Organization declares Gaming Disorder a mental health condition
- Ridout, B. (2018). The Today Show: Kids and screen time
- Campbell, A. (2018). The Conversation: No, you're probably not 'addicted' to your smartphone - but you might use it too much
- Keep, M. (2018). ABC News: How social media is connecting people living with illness
- Ridout, B. (2018). Sydney Morning Herald: What cyberpsychology tells us about kids and screens
- Ridout, B. (2018). ABC Radio Sydney: Facebook and wellbeing
Our people
- Associate Professor Andrew Campbell, Research Group Chair
- Dr Brad Ridout, Senior Lecturer and Research Group Deputy Chair
- Dr Rowena Forsyth, Senior Lecturer
- Dr Krestina Amon, Lecturer
- Mr Matthew Naylor, PhD Candidate
- Ms Ash King, PhD Candidate
- Mr Trent Hammond, PhD Candidate
- Ms Emma van der Schyff, PhD Candidate
- Dr Sophie Brassel (Alumni PhD – Graduated Oct 2023)
- Ms Jocelyn Brewer (Alumni Masters – Graduated Dec 2022)
- Dr Karen Cochrane (Alumni PhD – Graduated March 2021)
- Dr Audrey Rollin (Alumni PhD – Graduated Dec 2021)
- Dr Joshua Kelson (Alumni PhD- Graduated Sept 2017)
- Professor Stephan Bouchard
- Professor Neil Coulson
- Professor Scott Debb
- Professor Thomas Parsons
- Professor Eric Malbos
- Professor Kate Steinbeck
- Professor Leanne Togher
- Professor Brenda Wiederhold
The Cyberpsychology Research Group (CRG) collaborates on research projects with industry partners, education institutes, NGOs and Government. Below are some of our previous and existing partners in research:
- IDCARE
- Kids Helpline
- Save the Children
- BUPA Health Foundation
- Western Sydney Local Health District
- Wellbeing Health and Youth – NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Adolescent Health
- The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
- Office for Learning and Teaching
- Future Generation Investment Company
- Family Court of Australia
- Sane Australia
- Knox Grammar School