The Cyber Effect: A Pioneering Cyberpsychologist Explains How Human Behaviour Changes Online

Description

Dr Mary Aiken is the world's leading expert in forensic cyberpsychology - a discipline that combines psychology, criminology and technology to investigate the intersection between technology and human behaviour. In this, her first book, Aiken has created a starting point for all future conversations about how the Internet is shaping our perception of the world, development and behaviour, societal norms and values, children, safety and security. Covering everything from the impact of screens on the developing child to the explosion of teen sexting, and the acceleration of compulsive and addictive online behaviours (gaming, shopping, pornography), THE CYBER EFFECT also examines the escalation in cyberchondria (self-diagnosis online), cyberstalking and organized crime in the Deep Web. Cyberspace is an environment full of surveillance, but who is looking out for us? Full of surprising statistics and incredible-but-true case studies of the hidden trends that are shaping our culture, this book raises troubling questions about where the digital revolution is taking us. Upending your assumptions about your online life and forever changing the way you think about the technology that you, your friends and your family use, THE CYBER EFFECT offers a fascinating and chilling look at a future we can still do something about.

Dr Mary Aiken is the world's foremost forensic cyberpsychologist. She is the director of the Cyberpsychology Research Network, an advisor to Europol, and has conducted research and training workshops with multiple global agencies from INTERPOL to the F.B.I. and White House. She is a Distinguished Professor of the Practice of Cyber Analytics at the Asia-Pacific Institute for Resilience and Sustainability (AIRS) anchored at Hawaii Pacific University. Her research interests include cyber security, organized cybercrime, cyberstalking, human trafficking and the rights of the child online. She is a member of the advisory board of the Hague Justice Portal, a foundation for International peace, justice and security. Her groundbreaking work inspired the CBS television series CSI: Cyber. She is based in Ireland. www.maryaiken.com

With great clarity and insight, Aiken investigates the effect of technology on human behaviour, including criminal activity on the Deep Web and Darknet, deviancy, internet addiction, the teenage psyche, child development (very compelling) and cyber romance - Bookseller Really rather good . . . Aiken makes a powerful case...as we see what digital technology is doing to behaviour, relationships, crime and politics, we're also aware that it's becoming increasingly dangerous and problematic - and that it's our grandchildren who will really reap this whirlwind. If nothing else, The Cyber Effect should enable us to have a more sophisticated conversation about it - Observer Aiken really hits her stride in three central chapters covering the impact of digital technology on children and young people. Here she makes a powerful case for the view that our society has been criminally negligent in the way it puts children in the harm's way of digital technology - GUARDIAN Obesity, aggression, developmental delays: what tablets and mobiles are doing to our children...Dr Aiken says children are being 'catapulted' into cyberspace before they are psychologically capable of making sense of it - TELEGRAPH Aiken does a good job of pulling together the main charges against the internet . . . this book is fascinating . . . the result is a book that is extremely useful and well researched - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH