I am a licensed psychologist and postdoctoral researcher in psychology with master degrees in Mental Health and Child and Youth Studies.
The goal of my research is maximising the benefits of interactive technologies while reducing the potential risks it can present to some individuals in extreme circumstances.
Critical inquiry on the psychosocial implications of interactive technologies has been my professional passion since undergraduate school when I conducted one of the first studies on Internet pathological use in 2000.
In 2010, I coined the term Game Transfer Phenomenon (GTP) carving a multidisciplinary area of research to understand the effects of video games. My research on GTP has been founded by the European Union and has had an impact beyond academia.
My research has been featured worldwide in books about everything from video games, evolution of the senses and a science fiction book; reports (Lloyds emerging risk report (2018); POSTnote by the United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (2012); newspapers (e.g., Die Zeit, 2017; The Telegraph – Science, 2016; Washington Post, 2016; El Reforma 2016; Boston Globe, 2014; The International Herald Tribune, 2011); magazines New Scientist, 2011); TV (e.g., BBC news, 2015; an episode of the American series “CSI: Cyber”, 2016; Radio programs (e.g., BBC Digital Human, 2016; BBC – Click, 2011, Piensa Indigo Media, 2012), magazines (e.g., New Scientist 2011; The Atlantic, 2016; Unwinnable Magazine 2016). Other online outlets (e.g., Discovery news 2016; Venturabeat 2015; CBS news 2014; Forbes 2014; Sky News 2014; GameSpot 2014; Kotaku 2011). Amusing parodies (GINIX, 2011).
I have published academically and presented at several conferences.
Rodrigo Villanueva from LevelUp.com has put together a video report on the latest study about prevalence of GTP.