Use of Technology & Social Media in Social Work Practice: Assessment Answer

Reflective essay

One of the most common methods of human interaction is through the use of technological and social media platforms. With the rise of computers, smartphones, and email, the usage of landline telephones and letter writing has decreased. There is a wide range of viewpoints on the benefits and drawbacks of today's technology advancements, particularly in the business world. Many believe technology helps and streamlines business, while others worry that it undermines human connection through impersonal means. There is no simple solution to the dispute over the use of technology in social work practice and with clients, a subject in which the assisting connection is of essential importance.

As a modern young adult, I use my phone and various forms of social media almost constantly. Regularly, I utilize my social media accounts to upload and share images with friends and family, as well as to maintain personal relationships. I no longer use snail mail for anything, including paying bills or conducting business. One of the best things about modern technology is how quickly and easily I can get anything I want to be delivered to my home. Since the advent of social media and other forms of digital technology has simplified many aspects of my life, I naturally have a more optimistic outlook on the potential benefits of incorporating them into my social work practice. Among the many ethical considerations, social workers must make when utilizing digital or social media tools is the need to protect client confidentiality. The social worker must exercise caution while using any type of electronic or social media communication to avoid disclosing client confidentiality. An important step in this direction is ensuring that the security and privacy of the data sent are not compromised in any manner. Furthermore, social workers need to be aware of the privacy settings on social networking sites and take precautions to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to client data (Chan et al., 2020). An additional major ethical consideration for social workers when using technology or social media is client confidentiality. 

As a social worker, I need to be aware of the potential for information about the clients to be disseminated via digital and social media channels and must take precautions to prevent this. One approach would be to restrict access to sensitive data and only share it with those who need it. Also, I need to be aware of the privacy settings on social networking sites and take appropriate measures to prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive client data. To prevent abuse or exploitation of their clients, I being a social worker must maintain some emotional distance from them (Chan & Sage, 2021). The use of technology and social media requires caution to prevent the establishment of parallel ties with clients. A social worker's professional limits should include not just keeping client information private, but also not crossing ethical lines. For the sake of their clients, social workers should avoid becoming too close to them through, say, Facebook or another kind of online networking. Social workers shouldn't share personal information with clients or become Facebook friends with them (Manca, 2020). Proficient use of digital media is essential for today's social workers. Importance is also placed on my being aware of and able to control my unconscious prejudices. Social workers must use caution when sharing client information online or in person. Social workers should always protect their client’s privacy by using encryption and other security measures while handling sensitive client data. I need to avoid bias while using technology or social media. It is unethical to utilize their clients' private information for personal advantage. It is also important from an ethical standpoint to take measures to protect individuals' privacy. It is inappropriate for social workers to utilize their client’s personal information or data for personal advantage.

The importance of social workers receiving adequate training cannot be overstated. Before implementing the use of technology and social media with clients, social workers should ensure they have received adequate training. A social worker's use of technology and social media with clients must be conducted in an ethical and legally defensible manner. Technology and social media can aid in social justice within the field of social work by providing a forum for social workers to share their experiences and insights with a wider audience. Articles, blog entries, and even first-person accounts can all be shared via social media to raise awareness and support for social justice causes. This can help spread awareness about the importance of social justice and the many paths to achieving it. A social worker can also use social media to find others with similar interests and goals. This could lead to increased connections and collaboration, which could benefit the movement for social justice as a whole. Technology has made it easier than ever for social workers to have access to resources and information that aid their work towards social justice (Gruzd et al., 2018). Several online databases and directories, for instance, compile information about social justice organizations and materials. In addition, there are many resources for social workers to learn more about social justice issues and how to successfully address them, thanks to the proliferation of online training classes and programs (DeCarlo, Cummings & Agnelli, 2021). If social workers make use of these materials, they can increase their expertise and better promote social justice. The social worker's use of technology to connect with other activists for social justice is a powerful tool. The topic of social justice, for instance, is discussed at length on many different discussion boards and social media platforms (McInroy, 2021). These online communities provide a place for social workers to network, exchange information, and collaborate on a variety of important initiatives. Individuals can be inspired to take action and more people can be made aware of social justice issues through the use of these channels.

It's equally as crucial that the client and social worker form a strong relationship as it is that the client gets assistance. As individuals, my preferred means of contact with others have evolved, and so too have how businesses interact with their clientele. A social worker in the modern day could utilize a mobile device to contact a client, schedule an appointment, or collect data. Web-based therapy and other forms of online social services are on the more contentious end of the spectrum.

References

Chan, C., & Sage, M. (2021). A narrative review of digital storytelling for social work practice. Journal of Social Work Practice, 35(1), 63-77.

Chan, T. M., Dzara, K., Dimeo, S. P., Bhalerao, A., & Maggio, L. A. (2020). Social media in knowledge translation and education for physicians and trainees: a scoping review. Perspectives on medical education, 9(1), 20-30.

DeCarlo, M., Cummings, C., & Agnelli, K. (2021). Graduate research methods in social work. Open Social Work Education.

Gruzd, A., Haythornthwaite, C., Paulin, D., Gilbert, S., & Del Valle, M. E. (2018). Uses and gratifications factors for social media use in teaching: Instructors’ perspectives. New Media & Society, 20(2), 475-494.

Manca, S. (2020). Snapping, pinning, liking or texting: Investigating social media in higher education beyond Facebook. The Internet and Higher Education, 44, 100707.

McInroy, L. B. (2021). Teaching technology competencies: A social work practice with the technology course. Journal of Social Work Education, 57(3), 545-556.

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