Ethical challenges of digital mental health for young people

Digital mental health for young people is a promising but complex field with significant ethical challenges. As we face the medical and socio-economic impacts of mental health disorders, digital technology offers a great opportunity to provide a much-needed support. Digital mental health - which we can define as the use of digital tools for assessing, supporting, preventing, and treating mental health issues - is increasingly seen as a viable solution.

This technology is particularly relevant for the youth, who are often (obviously) the primary users of these tools. They are naturally inclined to adopt new digital solutions, making them the ideal group to benefit from these innovations. So, the promise of digital mental health for this demographic is huge. It has the potential not only to reach them where they are (online and on their device) but also to offer timely and personalised support that traditional methods may fail to provide.

However... while the benefits are clear, the ethical challenges cannot be overlooked, and that's what this article is all about. As we integrate digital mental health tools into the lives of the Indian youth (but not only limited to them), we must be vigilant about the risks. These tools, while innovative, raise questions about privacy, data security, AND the potential for misuse. The sensitive nature of mental health data makes it critical to make sure that these platforms are designed with the highest standards of confidentiality and ethical responsibility.

Ethical challenges of digital mental health

Confidentiality

The pace of technological advancement often outstrips our ability to keep data secure, leading to growing scepticism among users about the confidentiality and security of the user's data.

The potential risks associated with privacy breaches are considerable. Imagine using a mental health app, trusting it with the deepest thoughts and personal information, only to find out that this data hasn't been properly secured. The consequences of such a breach could ripple through various aspects of someone's life.

For e.g., a privacy lapse could impact the career, as sensitive information could potentially be accessed by employers or colleagues. It could also affect academic standing if details about mental health struggles were exposed in a school setting. The damage could extend to personal relationships (say - with friends, family, or partners) who might not have been aware of the extent of such challenges.

Inequality

If someone doesn't have access to reliable internet, a smartphone, or simply lacks the digital literacy to use these tools effectively, they are at a severe disadvantage. It's not just a minor inconvenience—this is a barrier that can prevent someone from accessing the mental health care they desperately need.

The rise of digital mental health solutions, while groundbreaking in many ways, also risks leaving behind those who are already marginalised. We cannot ignore that without intentional efforts to bridge this gap- digital health innovations might actually widen existing inequalities rather than alleviate them. Considering that 52.4% of the Indian population is connected to the internet as of January 2024...that says a lot about the inequality of using such digital means.

No ethical-legal guidance

One of the most pressing issues is the lack of clear ethical and legal guidance. Many mental health apps and online platforms operate without undergoing rigorous professional evaluations or clinical validation studies. This absence of oversight creates a grey area where the effectiveness and safety of these technologies remain largely unknown.

Without proper or excellent guidelines, there is a real risk of these tools being misused (and in some cases even over-relied upon) potentially leading to harmful outcomes. This could result in digital mental health tools that are not only ineffective but potentially damaging to users who are already vulnerable.

More stigma

Cyberbullying is a growing concern in 2024 and forward, and the impact it can have on individuals is far-reaching, especially when sensitive data is leaked. It's troubling how huge this issue has become, with digital technologies and social media playing significant roles in exacerbating the problem. These platforms often end up doing the opposite (of connecting) by encouraging harmful behaviours.

One of the most disturbing aspects is how internalized stigma can drive people to use social media in self-destructive ways. For e.g. think about individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts or non-suicidal self-injuries who turn to these platforms not for support but to publicly share or fuel their self-harming behaviours. This is deeply concerning because, instead of finding help, they end up reinforcing negative perceptions of their own conditions.

Final thoughts

What we can say in the end is that the effectiveness of digital mental health interventions is still being evaluated by different researchers. While there is growing evidence that these tools can positively impact mental health conditions, particularly among young people, there is also a risk ...an ethical risk to be considered.

We must ask ourselves whether digital solutions are being used as a supplement to, or a replacement for, more comprehensive care and what the long-term implications of this shift might be.