Recently, we read in the news that a teenager committed suicide because he had fallen in love with a digital version of a Game of Thrones character, specifically an AI conversational robot. After a conversation, he understood that the only way to reunite with her was through death.
Behind these news stories lies a complex web of factors that cannot be reduced to a single explanation. We must analyze the importance of mental health and the role and use of new technologies in society. This tragic event confronts us with an uncomfortable reality: we have neglected emotional well-being and the impact that technological innovations have.
Mental health is an essential component of human dignity, and there must be a balance between the physical, spiritual, and psychological aspects. However, the next epidemic that is hitting us—and will continue to hit us in the coming years—will be the mental health crisis.
If we look at the global picture, one in eight people suffers from a mental illness, according to the WHO, and by 2030, mental disorders will account for more than half of the global economic burden caused by non-communicable diseases.
When analyzing the figures for our country, provided by the Ministry of Health, 37% of the population suffers from some mental health issue. The most common ones: anxiety disorders, depression, and sleep disorders. And it’s not just adults who are affected by these problems. Psychiatric hospitalizations of people under 20 years old have increased by almost 40% in recent years. Chilling, isn’t it?
The Misuse of Technology and Social Changes
Experts agree on the main triggers of mental health issues, especially among adolescents: uncontrolled access to the internet, digital services governed by addictive algorithms, and the ease of mobile connectivity. Technology, in particular, plays an ambivalent role.
It is a powerful tool, capable of connecting the world and democratizing access to information. However, social networks, designed to connect us, have also led to bullying, the spread of fake news, and the polarization of opinions.
In 2017, Gartner predicted that by the end of 2022, users would consume more fake news than real news in the West. That prediction came true: 71% of Spaniards consume fake news in 2024, according to Statista.
This means that almost one-third of our country’s population is exposed to false news and hoaxes, which pose a direct threat to democratic systems. It is worth reflecting on the content we consume and its sources. Obviously, the responsibility does not lie with the tools themselves but with how we use them and the values we instill in young people, who have become accustomed to individualism and superficial validation.
However, to truly address this problem, it will not only be necessary to raise awareness and increase public knowledge and consciousness about this issue. The transformative power of private capital and scientific and technological research will also be needed to genuinely help people, reduce their suffering, and improve their mental health.
The development of technology is inherent to human progress, but we cannot allow innovation to neglect the emotional needs of our society. Now is the time to pause, reflect, and become aware that we must use technology to build a more humane future.
Technological advances bring new ethical challenges, and a profound debate is necessary—one that advocates for the humanization of change. Only in this way can we ensure that the internet and new technologies serve as tools for the common good and as a space that upholds people’s rights and dignity.
Manuel Fuertes is the CEO of Kiatt.