A closed‑door session of the All‑Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Emerging Drugs and Online Behavioural Trends was held last January at the House of Commons, focusing – with an important Italian contribution – on one of today’s most urgent public‑health challenges: the rising risk of suicide facilitated through online environments.
Convened on 27 January 2026 in the Grimond Room of Portcullis House, the meeting brought together parliamentarians, senior clinicians, academic researchers, charity leaders, public‑health specialists and individuals with lived experience. The session was designed to address the complex intersection of harmful digital content, behavioural vulnerabilities and suicide risk.
A defining feature of this event was the strong and influential Italian representation, which significantly shaped the intellectual depth and strategic direction of the dialogue.
This representation included Professor Ornella Corazza and Professor Gianluca Esposito. Professor Corazza is the Chair of the APPG Scientific Committee and Secretariat and a leading figure in behavioural addictions and emerging drug trends. Full Professor of Developmental Psychopathology Director, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Università di Trento, Professor Esposito delivered expert insight into developmental vulnerability, parent‑child dynamics and the psychological impact of digital exposure. His contribution highlighted how online environments heighten risk during critical stages of cognitive and emotional development.
The Session Co‑organiser was Political Strategist Chris Vinante Giovannini, who played a central role in coordinating high‑level engagement between UK policymakers and international experts, ensuring that the session maintained both strategic coherence and scientific integrity.
