Research into young people's behaviour online at inaugural lecture

One of the country’s leading experts on social responsibility in computing is set to deliver a keynote lecture this month into how young people behave online.

Professor Andy Phippen has conducted a number of studies looking at online relationships and will detail some key aspects of research in his inaugural lecture on Tuesday 31 January.

The event will explore his research into how young people conduct themselves online and the value of external and public engagement in both the research and results.

Discussions will include sexting, cyberbullying and identity management and how behaviour can impact on the future workforce and society.

Phippen explains: “The lecture presents recent research work around the online behaviour of children and young people, and the issues that arise, both the alarming and the less extreme, but more likely, impacts such as managing one’s identity, what technology does to blur the social and professional worlds, the responsibilities in social for online education and support, and the role of the political process in that.

“Within this focus around online behaviour, I will also be looking at the role universities play in this field, and the tension between research and public engagement. I will also look at how we communicate our research in a way the public will engage with and whether we as universities have a social responsibility to disseminate research in a manner that non-academics can understand.”

The event will run from 6pm to 8pm at the Roland Levinsky Building Lecture Theatre 2 and is open to the public.

Phippen’s research has ranged from cyber bullying to the growing trend of sexting among youngsters. His most recent study explored the use of technology in relationships and discovered that 88 per cent of young adults found technology to have a positive impact.

ENDS