Maizy Guinn

NMD 200

19 September 2019

From week one we watch a TedX talk by Gerd Leonhard about Digital ethics and the future of humans in a connected world. In his talk he asks what our boundaries are for technology. First venturing into medical tech like little robots that kill bad cells, well thinking about that you intentionally think well no I don’t want a robot in my body but what if it could save your life killing cancer cells. We are already on the way to that with birth control implants in your arm that releases hormones so we already have examples on tech in your body that aren’t there for life-saving reasons. This leads to the discussion of privacy, putting these pieces of tech in your body, the only thing the government can’t control, you are giving that up. Our security is already being invaded with constant moderation. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=258&v=bZn0IfOb61U)

In the first week we watch a video called ‘Is the internet changing the way we think?’. 

The basis of the video is about how much we rely on the internet. The internet started as a tool but has now become an extension of our minds. It is proven our generation struggles more with keeping on tasks because our devices are designed to keep us wanting to come back for more. This creates a release of dopamine which makes them highly addictive. 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=174&v=YoowH0mIuiA)

In the article ‘Facebook, Cambridge Analytica… and Hippocrates’ It discusses the impact of the Facebook scandal that when on with our data being sold. This scandal really made us aware of how much of our lives we are putting online. With the information, we willing give they are able to suggest groups that further the info you are giving and the clicks you produce just grow their information on us further. It is our responsibility to one, do no harm and avoid algorithms and target advertisement and two, encourage people to slow down and enjoy our real lives. (https://c4urselves.com/article_read.php?a=5)

This isn’t an article or video. but I feel like this is a very important example of a website/ piece of technology doing good. Humane Tech’s website has been transformed to just link over to the Digital Climate Strike site which states why this is important and why it is happening now. This is an example of tech taking a step back and not throwing up ads for money or just ignoring this crisis they are taking all their website traffic and directing to do good in this world.

(https://digital.globalclimatestrike.net/)

I want to know the impact of all these new therapy apps has on their audience? I personally know people that use them and want to know if there are any statistics that do stand by it. I also want to know if digital therapy hinders face to face human to human therapy and if that has any effect?

https://www.menshealth.com/health/a28580581/therapy-apps/

https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/online-therapy

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5897664/

https://www.factor-tech.com/feature/app-vs-therapist-how-the-digital-age-is-transforming-therapy/

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/02/online-therapy

The men’s health article talks very much in a positive light towards this online therapy. The

article does ignore the lack of human connection but rather focuses on the lack of pressure actual 

therapy has. This article is specifically written to men made me feel as if they found this to be 

very beneficial because of the stereotype that men have to be tough and not go to therapy and using these apps makes easier to open and be comfortable and feel less like therapy. So overall this article was very positive about therapy and mainly focuses the availability and privacy of it.

(https://www.menshealth.com/health/a28580581/therapy-apps/)

This article gets into the ethics of online therapy. Using tech and not knowing exactly where information about a patient may go can be breaking HIPPA. HIPPA protects individuals’ medical records/ history. Yes, most apps require certification of these therapists but the actually program you are typing into they don’t know where that data is going. No one has investigated this issue. Online therapy is great for giving people easier access to benefitting their mental health but what in the long run it is hurting them more.

(https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/02/online-therapy)

In conclusion and I think the designer’s hearts are in the right place for these apps but i do not think they are ethical. There are too many grey areas where these typed messages go and how trustworthy the therapists you talk to are. 

I think if talking in-person to a therapist is too much for you trying reaching out to a talk therapist and set up phone calls or texting through your own mobile devises and getting rid of the middle man and grey area with your data.