1.Risk Zone 1:Truth, Disinformation, and Propaganda

-One way this risk shows up in social work is through misinformation about mental health resources or public health issues. In it Was the Damn Phones, we saw how youth are constantly exposed to online content that shapes their beliefs, often in ways their caregivers don’t fully see. The reading showed how students were picking up distorted messages about their identities, relationships, and coping strategies from social media. We also discussed in class how viral posts and misleading “mental health advice” online can confuse clients or push them toward harmful behaviors. These examples show why social workers have to help clients sort through online information, talk openly about what they’re seeing on their phones and guide them toward safe resources.

2.Risk Zone 2:Addiction and the Dopamine Economy

-Technology overuse can have real effects on clients’ mental health as well as daily life. In the “Clicks to Consequences” we looked at how teens can get caught up in online habits, which can make them more vulnerable. Another examples comes from readings about online learning during COVID-19, where students spent so much time on devices that it affected their focus. These examples show how technology can be addictive, and social workers need to help clients find balance, set healthy boundaries, and all around develop strategies to manage screen time!

3.Risk Zone 4:Machine Ethics and Algorithmic Bias

-This risk zone shows up in social work when digital tools or automated systems make decisions that don’t reflect the real lives of workers or clients. In the Working From Home and Work–Life Balance in Mental Health reading, we saw how technology used to track productivity and communication during remote work can easily misinterpret behavior. These systems don’t account for the emotional labor workers carry, the challenges of managing home and work responsibilities, or the different ways people engage online. As a result, the algorithms can label someone as “unresponsive” or “less productive” when they’re actually balancing multiple stressors or providing care in ways the system can’t detect.

4.Risk Zone 6: Data Control and Monetization

-Clients’ personal information can be at risk if it’s collected and shared without their full knowledge.During the module on Telehealth in the pandemic, many clients didn’t know their session data was stored or used. Another example is educational apps in schools that collect student data for profit which is an issue in undeserved communities. These examples show why social workers should push for transparency inform clients about their rights, and just to ensure technology doesn’t compromise privacy.