Mental health in the digital age

Abstract

The internet can now be reached by a fingertip on a smart phone and has changed our lives on a fundamental level. However, is mental health enhanced or diminished by this digitisation of our world? Innovation, such as digital technology, is often greeted with fear and suspicion but there is currently little evidence to support this. This book examines the intersection of mental health and digital technology in order to make informed decisions about the new options provided by the internet and technology. It highlights the rise in online therapy, self-help sites and social media as well as examining the ethical dilemmas involved in online research to suggest that the benefits created far outweigh the possible risks.