Importance of patient online activities

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.