Social media could be a force for good in tackling depression but for privacy concerns.

[2greys]

Social media has been identified by a number of studies as being a significant factor in mental health problems, especially in young people. But imagine if the power of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram could also be harnessed to identify those with depression symptoms and signpost them to support services.

By analysing social media (SM) content using machine-learning techniques, it may be possible to identify which SM users are currently experiencing low mood, and then use this to show adverts for mental health services to people who need them.

But a new study led by researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) shows that while social media users could see the benefits of this kind of analysis for depression in principle, they did not believe benefits outweighed the risks to privacy.

bsms.ac.uk/about/news/2019/...

[Sgt_Pepper]

In principle this is an excellent idea, but how long do you think it will be after an algorithm to detect the symptoms you mention has been developed before it is used to bombard social media users with targeted ads with little or no connection to their medical condition? It already happens in some way our another. Keep well away from Social Media!