Key Developments

European cyberpsychology research is gaining momentum in 2026 with significant academic and institutional developments. The leading European journal Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace has published its first issue of 2026 (Volume 20), featuring cutting-edge research on adolescent mobile behaviour, social media influences, and AI interaction patterns including ChatGPT usage.

Ireland’s Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) has opened applications for both its Certificate in Cyberpsychology program and MSc Cyberpsychology programme for 2026/2027, offering flexible online learning options. Meanwhile, the British Psychological Society’s Cyberpsychology Section Annual Conference 2026 at York St John University promises to bring together academics and industry professionals in July.

The field has welcomed Dr. Emmelyn Croes from Tilburg University as the new Associate Editor of the European journal, bringing expertise in cross-platform communication and social influencer impact on wellbeing.

Industry Context

These developments occur against a backdrop of growing cybersecurity concerns in Ireland, where recent research from Landmark Technologies indicates over half of Irish workers expect a major cybersecurity crisis in 2026. This intersection of human behaviour and digital security makes cyberpsychology increasingly relevant for understanding how people interact with technology safely.

Professor Linda Kaye at Edge Hill University continues to lead research bridging social media behaviours, wellbeing, and emoji psychology, having authored over 70 peer-reviewed papers while actively promoting cyberpsychology’s practical value to businesses and media.

Practical Implications

For technology builders and users, these academic advances signal a maturing understanding of digital behaviour patterns. The research focus on prosocial and antisocial online behaviours, combined with AI interaction studies, provides valuable insights for designing more psychologically-informed digital products and policies.

Irish and European professionals can access world-class cyberpsychology education through IADT’s programs, while the upcoming conferences offer networking opportunities with leading researchers.

Open Questions

How will the intersection of cybersecurity concerns and behavioural psychology evolve? What practical applications will emerge from the latest research on AI-human interaction patterns? The field’s growth suggests these questions will become increasingly important for European digital strategy.

Source: Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace