Open Data Collection

Open Data Collection The information being collected through social media platforms is not of concern to the users interviewed for this study. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, major or occupation almost all users were aware that their data was being used by social media outlets. In addition, by signing up for a social media platform the users were aware that their data is being collected, making it clear that their information will be protected and specific information will be public. C1 expressed her concerns clearly as medical schools purchase social media data of applicants and her social media information is “inaccurate”. Since the information she posts is flexible based on what she wants private and public, data collection is okay, but …show more content…
If health care companies can eventually diagnose mental illness by social media activity, it would be wise to reach out to users in a personal way, rather than simply a notification. In addition, lack of consideration that users are not always honest with posts and lack of in-depth analysis with every single user will subsequently lead to extreme controversy for social media platforms and health care companies. Furthermore, the stigma that medical information on the internet is exaggerated needs to be eliminated otherwise the resources invested towards assessing mental health will go to waste as the diagnosis is not believable. Policy makers also need to get involved with this moving forward because this technology would revolutionize mental health and without certain laws in place and lines drawn, there will be public outcry about ethical use of user data. Policy makers moving forward should have regulations in place to ensure that data collection is safe and used ethically. Companies and medical schools purchase information about their applicants’ social media usage, and if users feel that their data exposes their mental health or extremely personal information online without their knowledge, it can greatly impact their user experience with that social media platform, health companies which analyze their data, and overall policy makers that should be protecting their intellectual property. Mental health diagnosis can also help policy makers by indicating what programs need to be created to improve the overall mental state of the nation, which on a large scale can treat symptoms of mental illness before it is too late. By social media companies, health companies and policy makers working together, the nation as a whole can move forward and the taboo behind