Digital World, Real World

Personality

Christmas E-cards and Personality

Phil Reed D.Phil. on December 22, 2025

Knowing about a person’s personality traits may allow a psychologically well-informed card selection this Christmas.

Knowing about a person’s personality traits may allow a psychologically well-informed card selection this Christmas.

Loneliness

Remote Working and Loneliness

Phil Reed D.Phil. on December 17, 2025

Social isolation and loneliness are the emotional consequences of technology-based remote working and place additional burdens on the mental health of remote-working staff.

Social isolation and loneliness are the emotional consequences of technology-based remote working and place additional burdens on the mental health of remote-working staff.

Artificial Intelligence

How Might Using AI Generate Psychotic Delusions?

Phil Reed D.Phil. on December 9, 2025

Some engaged with AI develop psychosis from their interactions, possibly due to AI-generated doubts concerning bedrock beliefs that ground thoughts in reality.

Some engaged with AI develop psychosis from their interactions, possibly due to AI-generated doubts concerning bedrock beliefs that ground thoughts in reality.

Gender

Influencers in the Manosphere

Phil Reed D.Phil. on September 25, 2025

Is emotional validation for experiences in a world men find increasingly challenging the driver of manosphere use? Collective narcissism may be a better explanation.

Is emotional validation for experiences in a world men find increasingly challenging the driver of manosphere use? Collective narcissism may be a better explanation.

Social Media

The Externalities of a Digital Life

Phil Reed D.Phil. on September 12, 2025

The digital world fosters a culture of responsibility-denial, creating ‘externalities’, which damages those engaging in such behaviours.

The digital world fosters a culture of responsibility-denial, creating ‘externalities’, which damages those engaging in such behaviours.

ADHD

Social Media Use, ADHD, and Early Trauma

Phil Reed D.Phil. on September 7, 2025

Social media use and ADHD are related to one another to the extent they both may be related to adverse childhood experiences.

Social media use and ADHD are related to one another to the extent they both may be related to adverse childhood experiences.

Social Media

Social Media and the Rise of Mental Health Problems

Phil Reed D.Phil. on June 26, 2025

Increases in anxiety reported by younger people may perhaps be symptoms of social media withdrawal.

Increases in anxiety reported by younger people may perhaps be symptoms of social media withdrawal.

Depression

Depression and Mobile Phones

Phil Reed D.Phil. on May 5, 2025

For many young people, depression-like behaviors may result from the reinforcement of passivity from social media use after asking for help to solve their problems.

For many young people, depression-like behaviors may result from the reinforcement of passivity from social media use after asking for help to solve their problems.

Social Media

Rage Against the Computer: How Much Security Is Necessary?

Phil Reed D.Phil. on April 29, 2025

Having to complete multiple identity checks during online sessions prompts a discussion of the socially constructed notion of "securitisation," which is not the same as "security."

Having to complete multiple identity checks during online sessions prompts a discussion of the socially constructed notion of "securitisation," which is not the same as "security."

Social Media

Thwarting the Social Media Algorithm with Behavioural Science

Phil Reed D.Phil. on March 25, 2025

A reward being programmed to occur is one thing, but more important is how it is experienced, and you can organise that for yourself.

A reward being programmed to occur is one thing, but more important is how it is experienced, and you can organise that for yourself.

Social Media

What Social Media Does to Stress and Hormones

Phil Reed D.Phil. on February 28, 2025

The effects of stress hormones, like cortisol, can make giving up social media use more difficult.

The effects of stress hormones, like cortisol, can make giving up social media use more difficult.

Media

Truth: It’s Not What People Say It Is

Phil Reed D.Phil. on February 13, 2025

A thought experiment may help to decide whether fact-checking, or "community notes," or neither, is best.

A thought experiment may help to decide whether fact-checking, or "community notes," or neither, is best.

Social Media

Getting Your Needs Met Online

Phil Reed D.Phil. on December 14, 2024

Most digital activity is simply a "want," but there are a few instances where it could be a "need," and fewer still where the need can be satisfied digitally.

Most digital activity is simply a "want," but there are a few instances where it could be a "need," and fewer still where the need can be satisfied digitally.

Social Networking

The Alienation of a Generation

Phil Reed D.Phil. on December 6, 2024

Constant revolution in digital communication provides an unstable base for interpersonal and intergenerational understanding, and is rich fertiliser for alienation.

Constant revolution in digital communication provides an unstable base for interpersonal and intergenerational understanding, and is rich fertiliser for alienation.

Social Media

Will Banning Social Media Make Youngsters Safe and Healthy?

Phil Reed D.Phil. on November 26, 2024

Psychological research suggests that banning something can make people behave in unexpected and often counterproductive ways.

Psychological research suggests that banning something can make people behave in unexpected and often counterproductive ways.

Conspiracy Theories

Personality and Belief in Online Conspiracy Theories

Phil Reed D.Phil. on September 27, 2024

Belief in conspiracy theories is not necessarily an intellectual problem but an emotional and social issue.

Belief in conspiracy theories is not necessarily an intellectual problem but an emotional and social issue.

Suicide

Risk Factors for Social Media-Related Suicide

Phil Reed D.Phil. on August 22, 2024

The underlying reasons for addictions and compulsive behaviors and the types of social media use are more important than overall digital usage.

The underlying reasons for addictions and compulsive behaviors and the types of social media use are more important than overall digital usage.

Suicide

Suicide, Self-Harm, and Social Media Content

Phil Reed D.Phil. on August 15, 2024

Is viewing suicide-related social media content associated with rates of suicide or self-harm?

Is viewing suicide-related social media content associated with rates of suicide or self-harm?

Dopamine

Social Media Influencers and Dopamine Overdose

Phil Reed D.Phil. on June 27, 2024

Neuroscience findings regarding dopamine's roles in social decision-making illuminate concerns about social media influencers.

Neuroscience findings regarding dopamine's roles in social decision-making illuminate concerns about social media influencers.

Emotion Regulation

Interpersonal Emotional Regulation in a Digital World

Phil Reed D.Phil. on June 7, 2024

Why digital communication may hurt emotional regulation strategies.

Why digital communication may hurt emotional regulation strategies.