Hello all! I hope you are having a great semester so far 🙂
1. The Center for Humane Technology aims to change how our technologies are developed and used. CHT promotes human flourishing, well-being, democratic values, meaningful relationships, and a healthier shared information environment. CHT rejects the capitalization and exploitation of human vulnerabilities in technological design. I think CHT’s vision is honorable. We are living in a world where technology is a necessity, so it must be designed in a way that supports people instead of harming them. I like that they focus on changing how tech is built, not just blaming people for how they use it. The challenge is that it may take a long time for companies to make real changes, but their goals are really important.
2. I think CHT is right about social media being designed to keep us hooked. I wasn’t surprised by what they said about the brain because I noticed it myself. It’s so easy to get stuck scrolling even when I don’t want to. The part about how it affects self-esteem and comparison really stood out I’ve experienced the effects of technology on mental health first-hand and have also seen the effects it has on others. I think it’s more about losing your sense of responsibility and self when you get caught up in technology. The biggest change I’ve seen in social media is the use of AI, and I feel like it shapes what we see online more than ever.
3. Although I don’t believe Al is as dangerous as some people make him seem, I do think that improper handling could lead to problems. People’s well-being often isn’t prioritized when money is involved, and that worries me more than the technology itself. I also think some people can become too reliant on AI, whether it’s through tools like Photoshop or even using it for advice and companionship.
4. While “rogue Al” doesn’t really concern me, I do believe that common issues like bias, privacy, and potential career changes are important to pay attention to. It was more of a lesson to exercise caution with Al and establish boundaries before things got out of control. In my opinion, it’s more realistic to focus on how Al is already manifesting in daily life, such as how it influences what we see online or how we feel about ourselves.
5. Social workers may witness an increase in their clients’ struggles with social media-related issues like loneliness, comparison anxiety, and anxiety. Al might raise concerns about bias or privacy if social services use it. Access is another problem. You definitely need technology to get by these days, and low-income households may not always have it. Reaching resources may become more difficult due to the digital divide. However, technology can have positives for the social work practice too. If it’s properly utilized, it can connect people to support faster and make services more accessible. For social workers themselves, it means we’ll have to stay aware of how technology is shaping people’s experiences so we can meet clients where they’re at.
Thanks 🙂
Hi,
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! I really connected with a lot of what you said. I appreciated how you highlighted that CHT is focused on transforming the way technology is developed. That really struck a chord with me, especially since people are often called “addicted” to their phones, when, honestly, these platforms are designed to draw us in. I can totally relate to what you mentioned about scrolling even when you don’t want to. I’ve caught myself doing that too, and it’s crazy how quickly time can slip away! Most of the time, I don’t even mean to. Your points about self-esteem and comparison are spot on. I’ve seen it affect some of my friends, particularly the younger teens. I also thought it was really insightful when you said AI isn’t the issue, it’s all about how we use it. Finding the right balance between innovation and ethics is indeed challenging, especially when profit is often the primary focus. And I truly appreciated your reminder that social workers need to meet clients where they are with technology. It’s a great reminder of how quickly things are changing and how important it is for us to stay informed and be adaptable. Thanks again for your thoughtful post. I really enjoyed reading it!
I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts on doomscrolling and how it’s just so easy to just keep scrolling and forget your responsibilities and all of those things you should be doing. I have been there myself and have to consciously decide to stop or I will lose hours! Your points regarding social workers witnessing their own clients struggling with the effects of social media are so true and I think it really shows how it effects all of us and we as social workers will have to come up with strategies to help our clients.