Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society

Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society is based in Masaryk University, Brno, the Czech Republic. Our members carry out research related to the social, psychological, sociological and political implications of the use of information and communication technologies. We co-organize the annual international conference Cyberspace and publish Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace.

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Research interests

ICT and well-being

impacts on psychological, social and physical well-being

Online risks

excessive internet use • cyberbullying • cyberhate • harmful contents

Children & adolescents online

parental mediation • online socializing • digital skills

Human-computer interaction

ICT security • adoption of new technologies

See profiles of irtis members

Current research projects

DigiWELL

Research of Excellence on Digital Technologies and Wellbeing

DigiWELL is an interdisciplinary project that brings together excellent researchers from eight partner institutions to focus on the broad area of digital technology use in the context of physical, mental, and social wellbeing of populations.

PACC

Perceived anonymity in computer-mediated communication

This project focuses on adults' perception of anonymity online, aiming to provide a new perspective on the concept of perceived anonymity in the online environment and illuminate its role in online social interactions.

PARKA

Parental Knowledge of Early Adolescents’ Online Social Lives: The role of Parental Mediation

In the PARKA project, we investigate how parental mediation (i.e., parenting strategies aimed at regulating children's and adolescents' use of digital technologies) relates to parents' knowledge of what their adolescent children do online.

All research projects Our publications

Latest news

14 Oct

Report: What parents (don’t) know about online activities of their adolescent children?

A significant gap exists between what Czech teenagers experience online and what their parents actually know, and the riskier the activity or experience is, the wider that gap becomes. According to a new study by IRTIS researchers at Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, parents who underestimate these online behaviors and experiences are often firmly convinced their child is not involved. On a positive note, high-risk activities are far less frequent among teens than lower-risk ones. Rather than resorting to device bans, experts urge parents to build active, open communication with their children.

14 Sep

11th European Communication Conference ECREA

Many of our team members attended and presented their research at the 11th European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA) conference. See this page for their full presentations and profiles!

10 Sep

Hateful comments, losing control over AI and data privacy: Major new report highlights children’s online concerns across Europe

Children across Europe are embracing digital technology but are concerned about the risks that come with it, including online hate, privacy invasions and what future technology could mean for the planet and human autonomy.

16 Jul

Researchers from Masaryk University: A blanket ban on children's access to social media is not an effective solution

Researchers from the Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society (IRTIS) at Masaryk University’s Faculty of Social Studies (FSS MU), together with experts from the Institute for Research and Education in Digital Technologies and Cybersecurity at Palacký University in Olomouc, have published an expert opinion on proposals for a blanket ban on social media for children under the age of 15 or 16. The document responds to the current public debate and offers a perspective based on the latest scientific findings across psychology, education, media studies, the prevention of risky behavior, and child safety in online environments.

See all irtis news

Our other activities

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Cyberpsychology is a peer-reviewed scientific journal established and managed by IRTIS members.

It focuses on publishing psychosocial research of information and communications technology.

More about the journal Cyberpsychology website

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2.6

WOS Impact Factor (2025)

0.852

SCImago Journal Rank (2025)

No description

We are happy to invite you to Cyberspace 2026, an international conference, that focuses on law and social aspects of cyberspace.

Where: Brno, Czech Republic
When: 27-28 November 2026

Cyberspace website CALL FOR PAPERS

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