About me

NetPsychology is an independent educational publication exploring the psychology of digital life — how cognitive biases, social platforms, algorithms, and online environments shape human behavior, decision-making, and wellbeing.

All content is grounded in peer-reviewed research from cognitive psychology, behavioral science, and human-computer interaction.

About the Author

Octavio Ortega Esteban — Psychology graduate and IT specialist based in Toledo, Spain.

My academic background combines a Degree in Psychology from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) — with a focus on cognitive processes and human-computer interaction — and formal vocational training in Software Development (Higher Technician, Desarrollo de Aplicaciones, Spanish FP system). I currently work as Senior Engineer at Indra, one of Europe’s leading technology companies, in the field of air surveillance systems and technical training.

This combination of formal training in psychology and over a decade of hands-on work in critical technology systems and cybersecurity instruction informs everything published on this site. I write about the psychology of digital environments as someone trained in both fields — not as a clinical practitioner.

I have also published peer-reviewed academic research on the intersection of technology and human behavior (Athenea Digital, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, 2012).

Credentials

Academic

  • Degree in Psychology — Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)
  • Higher Technician in Software Development (Técnico Superior en Desarrollo de Aplicaciones) — Spanish vocational education system (FP)
  • Master’s Degree in Big Data and Business Intelligence — Universidad Isabel I
  • Peer-reviewed publication: Athenea Digital (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona), 2012

Professional certifications

  • Cisco Certified Network Associate — CyberOps (CCNA CyberOps)
  • Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) — Cloud Security Alliance
  • Cybersecurity training certificates issued by CCN-CERT (National Cryptologic Centre, Spain) and INCIBE (Spanish National Cybersecurity Institute)

Additional certifications

  • Google IT Support Professional Certificate
  • Elements of AI — University of Helsinki

Teaching experience

  • Over 2,500 accredited teaching hours in cybersecurity and IT systems (professional certificate programs in Spain, 2015–2024)

Full professional profile on LinkedIn →

Editorial Standards

Every article published on NetPsychology is:

  • Written by an author with formal academic training in psychology and a documented background in technology and cybersecurity
  • Based on peer-reviewed research from recognized academic sources, with citations linked throughout
  • Reviewed editorially before publication for factual accuracy, source quality, and clarity
  • Updated periodically as new research becomes available
  • Informational only — NetPsychology does not provide psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any kind

What You’ll Find Here

NetPsychology covers six core areas:

  • Cognitive biases that shape online behavior and decision-making.
  • Gaming psychology — the design principles behind engaging (and sometimes manipulative) digital experiences.
  • Social media and mental health — what research shows about identity, comparison, and wellbeing online.
  • Misinformation and belief formation — the cognitive mechanisms behind susceptibility to false information.
  • Digital habits and attention — evidence-based perspectives beyond popular headlines.
  • Cyberpsychology fundamentals — core concepts and ongoing debates in the field.

Important Notice

NetPsychology publishes educational content for informational purposes only. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice, psychological diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. The author holds an academic degree in psychology but does not practice clinical psychology.

If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, please consult a qualified mental health professional.

In Spain, you can find licensed clinical psychologists through the Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos. International readers should contact their local licensing body or healthcare provider.

If you are in crisis: in Spain call 024 (free, 24/7). In the US: 988. International directory: findahelpline.com.

Contact

For editorial inquiries, topic suggestions, or corrections:

We welcome corrections. If you identify a factual error or outdated citation, please contact us and we will review and update the article.

Transparency

NetPsychology is an independent publication, not affiliated with any university, research institution, clinical practice, or commercial entity. The site is funded through advertising and reader support.

For details on how we handle your data, please review our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Terms of Use.