Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Mental Health
Date Submitted: May 20, 2024
Date Accepted: Dec 3, 2024
Promises and pitfalls of internet search data and mental health: a critical review
ABSTRACT
Internet is now integral to everyday life, and users' online search data could be of strategic importance in mental healthcare. As shown by previous studies, internet searches may provide valuable insights into individuals mental state, and can be of great value in early identification and in helping pathways to care. Internet search data can potentially provide real-time identification and alert mechanisms to timely interventions, for instance. In this viewpoint paper, we discuss the various problems related to the use of this data in research and in clinical practice such as privacy, integration with clinical information, and other technical challenges. We propose solutions to address these issues, and possible directions to follow.
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Copyright
© The authors. All rights reserved. This is a privileged document currently under peer-review/community review (or an accepted/rejected manuscript). Authors have provided JMIR Publications with an exclusive license to publish this preprint on it's website for review and ahead-of-print citation purposes only. While the final peer-reviewed paper may be licensed under a cc-by license on publication, at this stage authors and publisher expressively prohibit redistribution of this draft paper other than for review purposes.