UPhone Apps May Soon Predict Teen Depression

Studies have linked heavy smartphone use with worsening teen mental health. But as teens spend time on sites like Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube, they also leave digital paths that may offer signs about their mental wellbeing.

Experts say possible warning signs include changes in writing speed, voice quality, word choice and how often a child stays home from school.

Researchers are testing smartphone apps that use artificial intelligence, or AI, to predict depression and possible self-harm. But there are still issues to address, including privacy issues and making sure children give permission to be closely followed.

Still, app developers say that effective, widely available depression-detecting apps may arrive soon.

Using smartphones as mental health detectors would require permission from users to download an app. They could take back their permission at any time.

Nick Allen is a psychologist at the University of Oregon. He is one of the creators of an app being tested on young people who have attempted suicide.