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Importance of patient online activities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2025

Scott Monteith ,
Tasha Glenn Open the ORCID record for Tasha Glenn [Opens in a new window] ,
John R. Geddes ,
Peter C. Whybrow ,
Eric Achtyes Open the ORCID record for Eric Achtyes [Opens in a new window] ,
Rita Bauer  and
Michael Bauer
Scott Monteith*
Affiliation:
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Traverse City Campus, Traverse City, MI, USA
Tasha Glenn
Affiliation:
ChronoRecord Association, Fullerton, CA, USA
John R. Geddes
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
Peter C. Whybrow
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
Eric Achtyes
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Rita Bauer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Michael Bauer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
*
Correspondence: Scott Monteith. Email: monteit2@msu.edu
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Abstract

Online platforms and activities, including smartphones, computers, social media, video games and applications involving artificial intelligence, have become a regular part of daily life and offer individuals a wide range of benefits. The purpose of this document is to increase psychiatrists’ awareness of the frequency and potential risks associated with excessive internet use, and to emphasise the need for psychiatrists to routinely question patients about their online activities. Internet use may become excessive and result in both psychological distress and physical impairments. Treatments and countermeasures may be required to address the harmful consequences of excessive internet use. Psychiatrists should be aware of patient online activities. Understanding of a patient’s online behaviour should now be a routine part of a psychiatric interview.

Keywords

Online activitiesinternet overusedigital overusesocial mediascreen time

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Type
Feature
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The British Journal of Psychiatry , First View , pp. 1 - 3
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© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal College of Psychiatrists

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