About this Research Topic
Digitalization has become increasingly important over the last few decades, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated its development significantly. Digitalization has invaded the private as well as professional spheres, now permeating nearly all aspects of contemporary life. It influences everything from how we wake up in the morning (e.g., by deactivating flight mode and immediately checking social media channels) to medical monitoring and treatment. It reshapes work environments and industries, destroying jobs while also creating new ones. It enables a plethora of novel forms of social interaction but apparently spares personal communication in 'real' life. Digitalization is claimed to have untold potential for efficiency and innovation but it is also associated with serious harm not only to young people but also to older people; for example, in regards to social exclusion due to barriers and limitations around interacting with these new technologies. It is therefore time to think more deeply about the mental health consequences and related ethical implications of digitalization.
Owing to the dichotomous character of digitalization and the related mental health consequences, this Research Topic deals with both negative consequences (e.g. social exclusion, overload, and stress due to new possibilities arising through digitalization, work environments invading the private sphere) and positives ones (e.g. digital health apps, digital assistance from health care professionals). The implementation of digital developments as well as their innovative potential should be carefully evaluated from both sides and must take ethical considerations into account.
This Research Topic aims to provide insight into a phenomenon that is not itself new but which has accelerated enormously during the pandemic. We specifically encourage submissions addressing the following aspects:
• human rights and values against the background of digital developments
• positive and negative mental health consequences of digitalization
• public (mental) health aspects of the use of mass digitalization
• ethical, legal, and social implications and consequences of digital developments
• changes in work environments and their impact on mental health
• impact of assisting digitalized instruments cognitive and other abilities
• the nature of device-user interactions.
Owing to the dichotomous character of digitalization and the related mental health consequences, this Research Topic deals with both negative consequences (e.g. social exclusion, overload, and stress due to new possibilities arising through digitalization, work environments invading the private sphere) and positives ones (e.g. digital health apps, digital assistance from health care professionals). The implementation of digital developments as well as their innovative potential should be carefully evaluated from both sides and must take ethical considerations into account.
This Research Topic aims to provide insight into a phenomenon that is not itself new but which has accelerated enormously during the pandemic. We specifically encourage submissions addressing the following aspects:
• human rights and values against the background of digital developments
• positive and negative mental health consequences of digitalization
• public (mental) health aspects of the use of mass digitalization
• ethical, legal, and social implications and consequences of digital developments
• changes in work environments and their impact on mental health
• impact of assisting digitalized instruments cognitive and other abilities
• the nature of device-user interactions.
Keywords: digitization, mental health, ethics, neuroethics
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
