Cybertrauma: the invisible scars of constant connectivity

Among the undeniable advantages of the hyperconnected world we learned to live in, some adverse effects lurk behind the algorithm's rewards. They’re damaging our personal and professional relationships and younger generations' sense of reciprocity, attention span, and ability to assess danger. 

Our world is already a mesh between digital and analog experiences, rapidly leaning into making virtual interactions the norm. 

So what can we expect to happen to us, biological beings, in non-biological settings?

In this episode, Catherine Knibbs joins us to talk about cybertrauma, how it feels, how it works, and how we can deal with it. 

As a Cybertrauma Clinician and Researcher, international educator, Consultant, TEDx Speaker, and the Author of "Cybertrauma: The Darker Side of the Internet for Children and Young People," Catherine’s experience pierces deep into the invisible effects of the cyber territory on our bodies, emotions, and minds.  

Throughout our conversation, she invites us to rethink our relationship with technology, the impact of social media on the development of children, and how our phones' omnipresence affects our relationship with our kids, significant others, and colleagues. 

Catherine also shares why she started studying this issue and explains the importance of self-care and creating healthy boundaries with social media. 

We also discuss cyberbullying, the effects traumatic content has on our minds and bodies, smartphone addiction, and more. 

In this episode, you will learn:

• What cybertrauma really is (3:40)
• How the body absorbs and responds to cybertrauma (11:00)
• The devastating effects of the constant presence of cell phones (18:20)
• Why we feel compelled to jump onto social media (24:00)
• The effects of virtual reality environments on our brains (28:20)
• What led Catherine to dedicate herself to studying cybertrauma (32:10)
• What we can do to help ourselves adapt to these challenges (40:00)

Resources mentioned:

• Bodies, Brains, and Technology - The Real Social Dilemma | Catherine Knibbs | TEDxDoncaster
• Book: Catherine Knibbs - CYBERTRAUMA: THE DARKER SIDE OF THE INTERNET FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
• Dr. Gabor Maté's website
• The Social Dilemma
• The Polyvagal Theory
• Transactional analysis
• Epigenetics
• Breneé Brown about Empathy
• Alexithymia
• Cleveland Clinic - Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
• Mark Zuckerberg: First Interview in the Metaverse | Lex Fridman Podcast #398
• Book: Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. - The Power of Showing Up

Connect with Catherine:

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• Twitter

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