How does spending more time online affect our mental health? Lords Committee to ask Royal College of Psychiatrists and British Psychological Society

The first panel of witnesses will examine the extent to which mental health services may be delivered digitally (and make use of new digital technologies) in future, and what impact (positive or negative) that might have on mental health outcomes.

The second panel of witnesses will present evidence on the possible impact on people’s future mental health of spending more time online and how the Government and others should respond.

The sessions will take place virtually from 10am on Tuesday 15 December and will be streamed live on Parliament TV.

Giving evidence will be:

10am

• Kate Cavanagh, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Sussex;
• Tom Foley, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, Newcastle University;
• Dr Richard Graham, Consultant Psychiatrist, Good Thinking; and
• Akiko Hart, CEO, National Survivor User Network.

11.20am

• Dr Bernadka Dubicka, Chair of the Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Royal College of Psychiatrists; and
• Dr Linda Kaye, Chair of Cyberpsychology section, British Psychological Society.

Some of the issues to be discussed include;

• The extent to which digital technology will be used to deliver mental health services in future, and the opportunities and risks that poses for different groups of people in need of support and treatment.
• The relationship between the NHS and private companies in relation to the development of new technologies, programs etc.
• The risks and benefits of increasing internet use to different groups of people, and the action needed to protect those at risk of harm.