ULusófona hosts international conference on cyberpsychology

From 29 June to 2 July, Universidade Lusófona – Centro Universitário Porto hosted the 29th Annual CyberPsychology, CyberTherapy and Social Networking Conference (CYPSY), bringing together researchers, academics, students, and professionals from several countries to reflect on the challenges and opportunities arising from the relationship between human behaviour, technology, and well-being.

Under the theme "Human 5.0: Behaviour, Well-being and Ethical Technology", the conference fostered discussion on the development and ethical application of emerging technologies, placing people at the centre of innovation and highlighting scientific knowledge as the foundation for their responsible use. Over the course of four days, participants explored topics including artificial intelligence, digital health, behavioural data, and the impact of technology on promoting individual and collective well-being, all within the framework of Society 5.0.

According to researcher and lecturer Pedro Gamito, cyberpsychology encompasses two fundamental dimensions: the study of human behaviour in cyberspace and the use of digital technologies to assess and intervene in that behaviour. In this context, the conference's main objective was to promote the dissemination of knowledge and the exchange of perspectives at the intersection of behavioural sciences, psychology, communication sciences, and information technologies, while keeping pace with the transformation driven by artificial intelligence and Industry 5.0 without losing sight of the ethical principles that should guide interventions involving people.

Among the conference highlights were two keynote sessions. On 30 June, Per Carlbring delivered a keynote on the latest advances in digital mental health research and technology-supported psychological interventions. The following day, Mariano Alcañiz presented the second keynote, focusing on the application of immersive technologies and digital innovation in the fields of healthcare, education, and well-being.

The conference also featured Brenda Wiederhold, President of the Interactive Media Institute, who reflected on some of the major challenges societies face in the digital environment, particularly among younger generations. Among the topics addressed, she highlighted the importance of promoting a balanced use of technology by encouraging regular breaks from digital devices and strengthening face-to-face social relationships. She also emphasised the need to equip children and young people with the skills to recognise risks such as digital fraud and other threats present in cyberspace.

As it celebrated its 29th edition, CYPSY reaffirmed its position as one of the leading international forums dedicated to the study of interactions between people and digital technologies, promoting knowledge exchange, multidisciplinary research, and the development of innovative solutions for an increasingly digital, ethical, and human-centred society.

View the Event Photos on ULusófona's Facebook page

Text
Bruna Pereira

Photography
Gabriel Motta and Paulo Renato

Video (Coverage)
Gabriel Motta and Paulo Renato

Video (Editing)
Gabriel Motta

Photo Editing
Paulo Renato