1. Truth, Disinformation, and Propaganda
Young people are constantly exposed to distorted messages about identity, relationships, and mental health. It Was the Damn Phones showed how social media influences students in ways caregivers often miss. Misleading online “advice” can confuse or even harm clients, so social workers must talk openly about what clients see online and guide them toward trustworthy resources.
2. Addiction and the Dopamine Economy
Tech overuse affects mood, focus, and daily functioning. In Clicks to Consequences, we saw how teens fall into unhealthy online patterns. During COVID-19, heavy screen time for online learning also strained students’ focus. Social workers can help clients set boundaries and build healthier digital habits.
3. Machine Ethics and Algorithmic Bias
Tools used for remote work or service delivery don’t always capture the full context of people’s lives. Working From Home and Work–Life Balance in Mental Health highlighted how algorithms can mislabel workers as “unproductive” when they’re juggling caregiving or emotional labor. Social workers must recognize these biases and advocate for fairer systems.
4. Data Control and Monetization
Clients often don’t know how their information is stored or shared. During telehealth in the pandemic, many were unaware that platforms retained their session data. Educational apps can also collect student data without transparency. Social workers should promote informed consent and protect client privacy.
Hi,
Isn’t it so crazy how we didn’t know our data was being stored and shared by the very companies we trusted? Fun Fact, I worked as a Financial Advisor for a few months, and we would have leads generated. We would call and people would ask how we knew their name, job title, and phone number…Imagine how creative we we instructed to be, in order to cover the fact that the very company they worked for sold their information…