Careers in cyberpsychology - in conversation with Dr Claire Sutherland

Can you describe your own career trajectory and the steps you took to get where you are today?

I took a rather unconventional route. My undergraduate degree was in Forensic Psychobiology. Following this I went on to complete a PGCE in Primary Education. I worked as a primary school teacher in Scotland for 2 years before moving to Australia. After 9 years teaching in a school which offered fantastic ICT opportunities for the students, I became interested in how young people used technology and how educators can successfully use technology to aid learning. For example, how we can use gaming in the classroom and then moved into online safety.

As the Cyber Safety Leader at my school, I became aware of the need to develop programs to support online safety and completed my PhD focusing on understanding young peoples’ perspectives of cyberbullying. I became an educational consultant for the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation providing online safety advice to companies, parents, teachers and students in Australia. One highlight of my career has been completing research for the Australian Government’s eSafety Commissioner exploring the technology use of children from age 3-17 years and the sexting behaviours of teens.

Returning to Scotland in 2020 with my growing family, I developed my online safety consulting business BCyberAware providing workshops for students, teachers and parents. I also write content as a Social Media Expert for the National Online Safety website.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your current role as a cyberpsychology professional?

The biggest challenge I face is keeping abreast of the trending apps and games. Technology is evolving rapidly and keeping up with the latest developments and their implications for human behaviour can be a challenge. It is paramount that I am aware of what young people are using so I can inform parents and schools about the positive aspects and challenges while these apps/games are at their peak and offer strategies to help keep young people safe when using them.

When I visit schools, many parents aren’t aware of the apps their children are using, how to monitor students’ technology use and what to do if things become unpleasant. Some parents are fearful of technology because they don’t use the apps their children use. It is my job to empower them so that they can have ongoing discussions with their children, and parents know how to keep their children safe online.

How do you stay current with the latest trends and developments in the field of cyberpsychology?

I regularly talk to young people about online safety therefore I hear first-hand what they are using, what is and isn’t popular. I think it is important to listen to young people as they are the ones using the technology and the group I am trying to empower and educate about being safe. I love sharing my experiences with others in my workshops.

I make sure I attend workshops and local conferences to learn about the latest developments, trends and research in the field as well as reading relevant research and journals.

Are there any specific certifications or credentials that are highly valued in the field of cyberpsychology?

Talking specifically about my role as an Educational Consultant in cyber safety, having teaching experience and the understanding and knowledge of how children learn has been beneficial. I have been able to create content which is engaging and is tailored to their needs. Having completed my PhD in cyberbullying and being aware of the psychology theories and research associated with cyberbullying I feel confident when I am in front of any audience as I can support what I am saying.

Can you speak to any particular job opportunities or growth areas within the field of cyberpsychology that you see emerging?

There are several emerging job opportunities and growth areas within the field of cyberpsychology in education: Online behaviour and personality, Social media use and psychological functioning, Video games, Virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

While there are many new opportunities in this area what I am most interested in, and the reason I began my school program BCyberAware is to empower and educate young people, and their parents and carers, to think about their actions when they are online, to build empathy and resilience. As students spend more time online, there is a growing need for educators to promote digital wellness and help students develop healthy habits around technology use. Cyberpsychologists may work with schools to develop digital wellness programs and help educators incorporate digital wellness into their curriculum.

How do you balance the demands of a career in cyberpsychology with other aspects of your life, such as family or hobbies?

Life is busy there is no denying that. When you enjoy what you do it isn’t a chore. I am so lucky that I get to combine my two dream careers: teaching and online safety. I then come home to my two wonderful children – who thankfully are too young for technology so that allows me time to disconnect. Like any job, there are busy times and quiet times. I try to find a balance as much as I can and when a quiet period comes along, I embrace it and enjoy every minute of it.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in their career in cyberpsychology?

Approximately 5 billion people across the globe have access to the Internet and spend most of their time using mobile devices, computers and other types of technology. Our reliance on technology will continue to grow. It is becoming an increasingly important field to be researching. Being inquisitive and curious about gaining insight into the intersection between humans and technology and the emotional effects that usage has on the brain is important. If you are concerned about how living in a technological age affects us as individuals and as a society then this is the area of study that will interest you so attend Cyberpsychology Conferences, networking with people who share similar interests, read the latest research and above all, ask questions.