Show Notes
In this episode, we explore the complex and often contradictory ways we present ourselves online. Are we the same person across Instagram, LinkedIn, and real life? Do we craft idealized versions of ourselves—or does the digital world give some of us a chance to finally be who we truly are? From psychological theories of the self to why selfies spark moral panic (and who they target), we dive into the motivations behind online self-presentation. We discuss how authenticity affects well-being, why platforms like BeReal are seen as more “genuine,” and how your sense of identity may shape the way you present yourself on different apps. We also touch on professional identity, performative posting, and whether “humble bragging” ever really works. Ultimately, we’re asking: What does your online presence say about your offline self—and what does it say about all of us?
Support resources:If 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: Can You See the Real Me? Activation and Expression of the “True Self” on the Internet Self-concept clarity and online self-presentation in adolescents. The Relationship Between Self-Concept and Online Self-Presentation in Adults Authentic self-expression on social media is associated with greater subjective well-being Charlit Floriano 3d animation research project: Understanding Virtual Bodies – A Case for the Use of Simple & Stylized Avatars in Social VR
More from InBits
We talked to Evelyn Murray, Psychology PhD candidate at Aston University, at the BPS Cyberpsychology Conference in July last year. She presented her research on how people perceive social media and what counts as a social media platform. We were amazed by how little agreement there is! We knew immediately that we wanted to hear about her research on the podcast.
Is fandom good for your mental health—or quietly wrecking it? We are joined by researcher Derek Laffan to discuss his research on K-pop, the positives and negatives of fandom communities. Join us and dive into Cyberpsychology of stans, ships, and parasocial love: K‑pop, influencers and parasocial relationships, parasocial grief, and shipping conspiracies. Resources Positive Psychosocial Outcomes and Fanship in K-Pop Fans: A Social Identity Theory Perspective - Laffan et al. (2021). Effects of Online Fan Community Interactions on Well-Being and Sense of Virtual Community - Kim et al. (2023). The role of cyberbullying victimization in the relationship between psychological sense of community and well‑being among BTS fans. - Laffan et al. (2023)
This week we're focusing on cyberstalking, something far more serious than secretly checking someone's Instagram. We're joined by an incredible guest, Dr Cassidy Weekes, whose research focuses on exactly this issue. We're talking criminal harassment that ruins lives, and we'll look at some high profile cases and stories from the media that highlight just how disturbing this behavior gets. We talk about who the perpetrators are, and what drives them, how they use everything from constant messaging to spyware, GPS tracking, and hacking accounts. We also look at the effects on victims, who can end up with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and serious impacts on their lives and loved ones. This episide definitely needs a content warning and pleae find resources below if you have, or are, experiencing anything like this.
We have a fun episode to start the new year, where we explores the psychology, history, and science behind the internet's (and Nicola’s) obsession with feline content. We were lucky to have a guest in studio with us for this episode, Dr Grace Carroll, an expert in animal behaviour, with a particular interest in cats! We trace the evolution of cat memes from the 2007 launch of "I Can Has Cheezburger?" through to today's weird and viral AI cat Chubby. We unpack how baby features in animals activate our caregiving instincts, why cats might be like cuckoos, how domestication works, what the "cute aggression" phenomenon is (that urge to squeeze adorable things), and how cat videos genuinely improve mood, reduce anxiety, and combat loneliness! Cats conquered the internet because they're perfectly engineered for it—cute, funny, and capable of triggering real emotional connections across all cultures. And for once we need no content warning! And check our instagram for pictures of the cats we talked about in the episode!
Christmas has gone digital—we shop online, video call the family abroad, and scroll through everyone's seemingly perfect holiday posts. But what's all this screen time actually doing to us? In this special Christmas episode, we get into the psychology behind our online Christmas habits. Why do we post photos of our Christmas trees and do we compare them to more perfect ones (like Liams)? Why does Spotify Wrapped feel so personal and what do we get out of sharing it? Can video calls with family make us feel both connected and lonely at the same time? We also cover the messier bits: how Instagram's algorithm shows you everyone's highlight reel (minus the family rows), why Christmas music is fine when you choose it but torture when it's blasted at you in the shops, and the rise in some more negative aspects of the online world over the Christmas break. The takeaway? You don't need to reject your phone at Christmas—just be more thoughtful about how you're using it.