InBits

Older Adults & Tech: Debunking bias & thriving online

We debunk age-related biases. Learn why caution is key, and how with support, older adults can thrive in the digital world, minimizing online risks and maximizing tech benefits. 
Resources and Links
AARP Survey
Broady et al (2010) - Comparison of older and younger adults’ attitudes towards and abilities with computers: Implications for training and learning
Baldassar et al (2017) - Aging in place in a mobile world: New media and older people’s support networks
Busch et al (2021) - Smartphone use amongst older adults
Chatterman et al (2019) - Should AI-Based, conversational digital assistants employ social- or task-oriented interaction style? A task-competency and reciprocity perspective for older adults

Persuasion

In this episode, we discuss how persuasion manifests online. We focus on how persuasion is used on social media by influencers and how we process and understand persuasive messages. We also discuss how persuasion is used in misinformation and some strategies to counter false or misleading information!
 
Misinformation Resources 
https://spunout.ie/life/privacy-security/fake-news/ 
HTML Heroes - https://heroes.webwise.ie/html-heroes/ 
 
Research Resources
Principles of Persuasion - https://www.influenceatwork.com/7-principles-of-persuasion/ 
Source Credibility and Persuasive Arguements - https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/jebde-10-2022-0038/full/html 
Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065260108602142 
 
 
 

Trolled part 2: Unmasking the Trolls

In this episode, we dig into why people troll, harass and gossip online and what makes it so common—from anonymity and online disinhibition to personality traits, from group dynamics to platform culture. We explore who trolls are, what motivates them, and how even ordinary people can get caught up in it. With real-life examples and research, we also look at how to tackle trolling and make the internet a kinder place.
Content warning: sexual harassment, suicide, and psychological distress.
 
Support resourcesIf you have been affected by the content of this episode in any way, the supports at the link below may be of assistance. If you are not in Ireland, please seek supports local to you. Irish Health Service Executive mental health supports
The Samaritans
Pieta House - Suicide and Self-harm Resource
 
Key Papers
Suler (2004). The Online Disinhibition Effect. Cyberpsychology and Behaviour. 
Rost, et al. (2016). Digital Social Norm Enforcement: Online Firestorms in Social Media. PLOS One. 
Synnott, et al. (2017). Online trolling: The case of Madeleine McCann. Computers in Human Behavior. 
Ng, et al. (2023). Does Instagram make you speak ill of others or improve yourself? A daily diary study on the moderating role of malicious and benign envy. Computers in Human Behavior. 
Buckles, et al. (2014). Trolls just want to have fun. Personality and Individual Differences.
Moor & Anderson (2019). A systematic literature review of the relationship between dark personality traits and antisocial online behaviours. Personality and Individual Differences.
Dineva, et al. (2021). A review of organisational strategies to deal with trolls and their effectiveness. Internet Research. 

Trolled part 1: When the internet turns on you

We take a deeper look at online harassment, particularly the rise and impact of trolling. Building on our online dating episode, we explore who is most affected, how it manifests, and the psychological toll it can take. Focusing on deliberate, harmful online behaviour meant to antagonise or disrupt, we unpack the different forms of trolling and why it’s become so widespread.
This is part one of a two-part topic (because Nicola likes to talk – and this is a big topic to cover!).  The second episode will get into the causes of trolling – who are the trolls and why do they do what they do?
 Content warning: sexual harassment, suicide, and psychological distress.
 
Support resourcesIf you have been affected by the content of this episode in any way, the supports at the link below may be of assistance. If you are not in Ireland, please seek supports local to you. Irish Health Service Executive mental health supports
The Samaritans
Pieta House - Suicide and Self-harm Resource
 
Key Papers
PEW Research: The State of Online Harassment
DCU: Understanding Adult Experiences of Online Hate in Ireland – An Exploratory Survey
The Impact of Online Abuse: Hearing the Victims’ Voice report – UK
Aktar & Marrison (2019) The prevalence and impact of online trolling of UK members of parliament

Online Social Support

What does social support mean to you? What are your social support networks online and offline? Do you share content for support or do you see people 'over share' content? How do you react? 
This week’s episode focuses on the different ways and reasons why we seek support online and examines some of these questions across different age groups and online communities. 
Online peer support for people with dementia
Social media affordances of LGBTQIA+ expression and community formation
The Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (TILDA) and Loneliness
Support resourcesIf you have been affected by the content of this episode in any way, the supports at the link below may be of assistance. If you are  not in Ireland, please seek supports local to you. Irish Health Service Executive mental health supports

Online Dating - Part 2

This is Nicola's area of research so it turned into a two-part episode! This time we'll get into the darker side of online dating - abuse and harassment of different groups of people, why men send graphic unsolicited images. 
Support resourcesIf you have been affected by the content of this episode in any way, the supports at the link below may be of assistance. If you are  not in Ireland, please seek supports local to you. Irish Health Service Executive mental health supports
 
Key studies:PEW Internet Online Dating report
Mandau (2020) ‘Directly in Your Face’: A Qualitative Study on the Sending and Receiving of Unsolicited ‘Dick Pics’ Among Young Adults
Oswald et al. (2020) I’ll Show You Mine so You’ll Show Me Yours: Motivations and Personality Variables in Photographic Exhibitionism
Marcotte et al. (2021) Young Women’s Experiences With Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence From Male Strangers
Salerno-Ferraro et al. (2022) Women’s and Men’s Reactions to Receiving Unsolicited Genital Images from Men
 

Online Dating - Part 1

Is online dating on the decline? In this episode we take a look at who is dating online, why, and what they're getting out of it (and a little bit on what they would rather not be getting out of it!). 
This is Nicola's area of research so it turned into a two-part episode! Next time we'll get into the darker side of online dating - but this episode we're looking at some of the positives! 
Support resourcesIf you have been affected by the content of this episode in any way, the supports at the link below may be of assistance. If you are  not in Ireland, please seek supports local to you. Irish Health Service Executive mental health supports
 
Key studies:PEW Internet Online Dating reportDouglas Zytko & colleagues - Supporting Women in Online Dating with a Messaging Interface that Improves their Face-to-Face Meeting Decisions 

Technology Addiction

Are we addicted to our devices? In this episode we focus on addiction, when it is and isn't the right term to use. We look at our screen use, gaming and when or how we use our phones to identify problematic behaviour. 
 
Support resourcesIf you have been affected by the content of this episode in any way, the supports at the link below may be of assistance. If you are  not in Ireland, please seek supports local to you. Irish Health Service Executive mental health supports
The Samaritans
HSE Alcohol and Health Resource
Pieta House - Suicide and Self-harm Resource
 
Key Papers
Gaming and Adolescent Agression
Mental Health and Internet Use
Screentime and Wellbeing

Moral Panics and Technology

In this episode we focus on moral panics about technology use and how this is driven by media reporting and societal discourse. We break down the actual research behind some of these panics, and look at what we do know about how tech is impacting us. 
 
Support resourcesIf you have been affected by the content of this episode in any way, the supports at the link below may be of assistance. If you are  not in Ireland, please seek supports local to you. Irish Health Service Executive mental health supports
 
Key papers & recommendations for reading
Amy Orben: The Sisyphean Cycle of Technology Panics
Campbell & colleagues: Evidence for and against banning mobile phones in schools:  A scoping review
Amy Orben & Andrew Przybylski: The association between adolescent well-being and digital technology use 
 
Book recommendationPete Etchells: Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time (and how to spend it better)
 
Spurious correlations website

In Bits Trailer

In Bits - The podcast that deconstructs our digital lives. Listen to Episode 1 - Moral Panic and Technology on Tuesday 25th March.