Catherine Knibbs (Audio) Behind the Screen: The Hidden Risks of Online Engagement for Young Minds

The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

Cath is an author, clinician with children and adults, supervisor, researcher, educator, speaker and mum with a background in the Armed Forces Engineering and Optronics, IT, Gaming and Psychology alongside Functional Health and her other passion of Neuroscience. She is a polymath and pattern recognition nerd.

New book out October 2024

https://www.routledge.com/Managing-Your-Gaming-and-Social-Media-Habits-From-Science-to-Solutions/Knibbs/p/book/9781032607597?srsltid=AfmBOorerHCkQT7xJXx1IatOE8aWTU2c6-Q3fxfu9QSuEfocbaBKW2pa

Summary

Catherine Knibbs, a psychotherapist and expert in cyber trauma, discusses her journey into psychotherapy and her expertise in online harm. She shares how her upbringing in a military family and exposure to stories from Wakefield Prison influenced her interest in understanding why people engage in harmful behaviors. Catherine explains how her background in engineering and computing led her to become knowledgeable about cyber trauma and online harm. She highlights the prevalence of cyber criminals and the alarming rates of sextortion and grooming of children online. Catherine also discusses the impact of technology on attachment patterns in children and the need for education and awareness to protect children online. The conversation explores the impact of technology on mental health, particularly in relation to boredom, attention, and online harms. It discusses the need for digital literacy and responsible parenting, rather than a complete ban on smartphones. The conversation also highlights the lack of support for professionals working in the field of online harm. The guest emphasizes the importance of self-care and personal well-being in dealing with the challenges of technology.

Website; https://www.childrenandtech.co.uk/

Takeaways

• Catherine's upbringing in a military family and exposure to stories from Wakefield Prison sparked her interest in understanding harmful behaviors.
• Her background in engineering and computing led her to become knowledgeable about cyber trauma and online harm.
• There is a prevalence of cyber criminals who engage in sextortion and grooming of children online.
• Technology has a significant impact on attachment patterns in children, and there is a need for education and awareness to protect children online. Technology can be both a tool and a medium, and its impact on mental health is complex.
• Boredom and attention are affected by technology, but it's not just about eliminating boredom; it's about recognizing internal processes.
• Banning smartphones is not the solution; digital literacy and responsible parenting are crucial.
• Professionals working in the field of online harm need more support and resources.
• Self-care and personal well-being are essential in navigating the challenges of technology.