The case example that stood out to me was the second one, in which a former client sent a Facebook friend request to their social worker (Reamer, 2023). I chose this because I have had similar experiences working with youth; some students have even tried to follow me on Instagram or Facebook after we worked together. It is always awkward, because I know they are just trying to stay connected, but I have had to explain that keeping those boundaries is part of my job. As social workers, even if the relationship ended positively, staying in touch outside of a professional setting is not ethical or safe. I relate most to the boundary dynamic of altruism, especially when working with younger clients who might not have strong support systems. I often want to go the extra mile, answering late messages, offering rides, or just being “available,” but I have learned that good intentions can still lead to ethical issues. Even something small can create a dual relationship or lead to blurred lines (Peterson & Gray, 2020). It has helped me to think more critically about how I balance being supportive while still protecting the professional relationship.
Reamer’s (2023) suggestion to have a clear social media policy is necessary. In today’s digital world, this helps avoid confusion. My own policy would include no friend/follow requests on personal accounts, clear communication guidelines, and making sure clients know what is appropriate and what is not. Research indicates that setting boundaries upfront can actually increase client trust (Hitchcock & Young, 2020). Overall, this article helped me reflect on how much boundaries matter especially when working with youth who may not fully understand them. It is our job to model professionalism and safety both online and in person.
References
Hitchcock, L. I., & Young, J. A. (2020). Digital social work: Tools for practice with individuals, organizations, and communities. Oxford University Press.
Peterson, B. L., & Gray, M. (2020). Ethics and boundaries in a digital world. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, 17(1), 11–20.
Reamer, F. G. (2023). Social Work Boundary Issues in the Digital Age.
This was a great response to the friend/follow request. I think that your personal example was perfect in the sense that the younger clients like to stay connected via social media. This will definitely create blurred lines and as you mentioned become unsafe and unethical. I agree that establishing the policy and boundaries upfront about communication and social media. As we increase the awareness and the usage of technology in social work, all agencies and companies will have to set clear and conise guidelines and policies to adhere to and by having these boundaries in the beginning can avoid the blurred lines.