Part 1: Through the Reamer Lens

I could relate to this topic because it reminded me of experiences I’ve had while working as a case manager. There have been times when clients wanted to communicate with me outside of the agency or asked for my personal phone number. Even though I wanted to be as helpful as possible, I explained that I could only communicate through our agency’s approved methods. I wanted to make sure I treated every client fairly while keeping a professional relationship. Setting boundaries helped build trust because clients knew what they could expect from me. It also reminded me that being supportive does not mean crossing professional boundaries, and that having clear expectations benefits both the client and me.

After reading the article, I found myself agreeing with most of Reamer’s perspective because technology has made it much easier for professional boundaries to become unclear. I agree that social workers should avoid communicating with clients through personal social media accounts or other forms of personal communication because it can create confusion about the professional relationship (Reamer, 2023).  At the same time, I think there are situations where some flexibility is necessary, especially when clients are experiencing a crisis or have limited access to services. While professional boundaries should always be maintained, I believe social workers also need to use sound judgment and consider each client’s individual circumstances. In my opinion, having clear agency policies while allowing ethical decision-making on a case-by-case basis creates the best balance between maintaining boundaries and meeting clients’ needs.

If I had to explain my perspective to a client, I would tell them that maintaining professional boundaries is one of the best ways I can provide consistent and ethical support. I would explain that I genuinely care about helping them, but part of my responsibility is using agency-approved forms of communication to protect both of us. I would let them know that these boundaries are not meant to create distance or make them feel unsupported. Instead, they help keep our relationship focused on their goals and ensure that every client is treated fairly and respectfully. I want clients to feel comfortable reaching out for help while also understanding the importance of maintaining a professional relationship.

Part 2: Haidt in the Room with Your Clients 

Haidt’s and Rausch’s arguments seem especially relevant to the population I hope to work with in the future as a school social worker. Many teenagers and adolescents use platforms such as Tiktok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube every day, often several hours. Throughout my own observations, I have noticed that many teenagers spend a significant amount of time on social media, which can affect their attention, self-esteem, and face-to-face interactions with others. According to Haidt (2026), adolescence is a critical period for brain development, and excessive social media use may interfere with healthy social interaction and sustained attention. He argues that this stage of development should be guided by real-world social experiences rather than constant engagement with social media algorithms, which helps explain many of the challenges schools are seeing today.

This evidence would influence my clinical practice with teenagers, families, and groups. Instead of simply encouraging families to reduce screen time, I would work with them to develop healthy technology habits, encourage in-person social activities, and discuss how social media can influence mental health and relationships. Haidt and Rausch (2026) also found that reducing social media use can improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, suggesting that conversations about technology use should be included in assessments and treatment planning when appropriate.

I also think their argument has implications for addiction services because some teenagers develop unhealthy patterns of social media use that can be difficult to control. However, I do not think their framework applies equally to every situation. For some adolescents, especially those who have limited social support or live in isolated communities, social media can provide opportunities to connect with others, access mental health resources, and find supportive communities. Due to this, I believe social workers should focus on helping teenagers develop healthy and balanced technology use rather than assuming that all social media use is harmful. Haidt’s framework helped me better understand why excessive social media use may contribute to challenges with attention, relationships, and mental health, while also reminding me that each client’s individual circumstances should guide clinical practice.

Reference:

Haidt, J. (2026, April). How screens stole childhood—and how to get it back. Ted Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_how_screens_stole_childhood_and_how_to_get_it_back

Haidt, J., & Rausch, Z. (2026, April 9). The case against social media: Seven lines of evidence. After Babel. https://www.afterbabel.com/p/seven-lines-of-evidence-against-social-media?r=32tyct&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true

Reamer, F.G. (2023). Boundary issues. Advances in Social Work, 23(2), 382-391. https://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/advancesinsocialwork/article/view/26358/25414