Tena Velki

The main goal of presentation is to explore the topic of online risky behavior through a psychological lens, focusing on the interactions between users and information-communication technologies. With the increasing digitalization of everyday life, individuals face growing threats to data security and privacy, often stemming from risky behaviors such as oversharing personal information, engaging with unverified sources, or neglecting cyber hygiene practices. This presentation will discuss the psychological aspects that contribute to these behaviors, including cognitive biases (such as educational paradox), stress (i.e. lower level of inhibition), and social influences (including peer pressure). The results of the research on online risky behavior among different age groups of computer users in Croatia will also be presented. Additionally, it will highlight strategies for promoting safer online practices and improving awareness among different user groups. This includes fostering a culture of awareness and education among users, tailored to different demographic groups, such as children, adolescents, and adults. By understanding the psychological factors behind online risky behavior, we can better protect users and create a safer digital environment.

KEY WORDS: online risky behavior, psychological aspects, information-communication technology users, data security, data privacy

Dr. Tena Velki is a Full Professor of Psychology at the Faculty of Education, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek. Her primary areas of expertise are developmental psychology, with a focus on behavioral disorders, and for the last 10 years information security and data privacy.

Dr. Velki is an external collaborator at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Information Technologies and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Croatian Psychological Association (HPD), the Croatian Psychological Chamber (HPK), and is President of the Osijek Psychological Society (DPO). Additionally, she is a member of the Croatian Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (HUBIKOT) and the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations (EFPA). In 2017, she received recognition from the Croatian Psychological Association for her significant contribution to the "Psychology Week in Croatia." For her outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of Croatian psychology, she was awarded the "Marulić: Fiat Psychologia" award by the Croatian Psychological Association in 2018. In 2019, she received the Best Published Scientific Paper Award from the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad and the journal Applied Psychology.

To date, she has published over 70 scientific papers and 10 books, including a university textbook on information security (Velki, T. & Šolić, K. (Eds.) (2019). Challenges of the Digital World. Osijek: Faculty of Education, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek). Her most significant contribution in the field of information security and data privacy is the creation of “Users’ Information Security Awareness Questionnaire” (UISAQ, Velki & Šolić, 2014), one of the first in the world to test this problematic.

Categorised in: 2024

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