Should Apple be taking on mental health?

Apple’s latest iOS update will allow iPhones and to track our mental health. The news is raising questions about the rise (and ethics) of digital health. 

In an era marked by unprecedented technological advancements, our relationship with digital devices has become deeply intertwined with our daily lives.

Besides dominating the tech market, Apple has made a name for itself in the health world as of late.

With the launch of the Apple Watch in 2015, customers have been able to track their steps, calories, and even how much time they spend sitting down – all with the greatest of ease.

These updates have been welcomed by the majority of Apple’s users, and arguable helped solidify the company’s place at the top of the tech leaderboard.

But the lines around digital health have remained blurry. As have the ethics.

Apple has been quick to adapt to changing demands from its audience, even as technological scepticism has started to arise globally. You can now even track your screen time and place limits on the hours spent on certain apps.

Apple has enabled us to police ourselves from using its own products – and in turn created a paradoxically surging demand for them.

Now, ever the innovators, Apple have introduced a groundbreaking new update to their iOS system. An extension of their famous Health app and related offerings, our devices will now be able to track and monitor our mental health.

With a range of sensors and algorithms, the new iOS mental health tracker can monitor metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and movement, enabling users to gain a more comprehensive picture of their overall mental wellness.

The feature will initially be rolled out on the Apple watch and iPad, but may be carried over across Apple’s suite of devices depending on the success of the launch.

Users will be able to log their momentary emotions and moods throughout the day, using prompts in the form of colourful visuals.

Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple’s vice president of Health, said: “Our goal is to empower people to take charge of their own health journey. With these innovative new features, we’re expanding the comprehensive range of health and wellness tools that we offer our users across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-7jSoINyq4&ab_channel=Apple

The feature certainly has the potential to positively impact the lives of individuals, allowing them to detect early warning signs of stress, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, thereby facilitating early intervention and preventive measures.

While the benefits of mental health tracking are undeniable, like most radical tech developments, this news has sparked significant discussions surrounding the concept of digital wellness and its ethical implications.

A major concern has already emerged around privacy. The data collected by the Apple Watch, including highly sensitive information related to mental health, becomes stored and analysed. Users must trust that their personal data will be handled responsibly and with the utmost security, given the sensitivity and confidentiality of mental health information.

Digitising mental health also has the potential to increase stigmatisation. While technology can help destigmatize mental health by normalising conversations and increasing awareness, there is a risk that relying solely on algorithms and metrics may oversimplify complex psychological experiences.

And of course, the integration of mental health tracking into Apple’s ecosystem may inadvertently exacerbate existing socioeconomic disparities.