Ethical OS Risk Zones
Zone 1: Truth, Disinformation, and Propaganda. In this zone we focus on disinformation and propaganda being spread by technology. In the 2023 article AI in Social Work, it discusses client misdiagnosis due to AI. Misdiagnosing is dangerous for a client because it can lead to unhelpful or harmful interventions. In the article First We Gave AI Our Tasks. Now We’re Giving It Our Hearts, it talks about how teens are at risk of emotional manipulation to AI companions. The article points out one teen in particular that died by suicide at the recommendation of an artificial intelligence character from a television show. Both of these articles are great examples of how social workers should warn their clients about disinformation, as well as holding tech companies accountable for incorrect information and dangerous programs.
Zone 2: Addiction and the Dopamine Economy. In this risk zone we consider technology’s effect on mental health. In the article Impact of Working from Home on Addressing Practitioner Burnout and Work–Life Balance in Mental Health, it talks about how many practitioners felt that their mental health improved after working from home. Some practitioners also mentioned how maintaining a work-life balance was very important when working from home so that they did not mix the two. I thought the video Your Brain on Social Media was very informative on what social media actually does to your brain. It was very intriguing to learn how social media acts like a dopamine drug that can be highly addictive. As social workers we must stay informed on how technology shapes our brains and what technology can do to mental health.
Zone 3: Economic and Asset Inequalities. This risk zone is concerned with how various communities will have access to the technology available. The text that stood out to me the most regarding inequalities in technology was The Digital Divide is a Social Justice Issue. The article discusses how technology access can differ depending on your socioeconomic status. For example, people who live in rural areas and have lower education levels are less likely to have access to technology than people who live in urban areas or have higher educational levels. The article Digital Transformation in Social Work, the author discusses how we are able to reach more clients because of services such as Telehealth, which can reach clients who might not be able to meet in person. Zone three is important to social workers because we have to advocate for people to have access to the technology they need, and we also need to utilize that technology to serve more clients.
Zone 8: Hateful and Criminal Actors. This zone deals with technology being used for malicious purposes and how harmful activities can be mitigated. The article A Generic Review of Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy highlights the use of AI in therapeutic contexts. One AI tool that is discussed is called Woebot, which offers a CBT based therapy for depression and anxiety. Woebot monitors concerning language and will direct concerning information to outside sources. I think that it is beneficial that it can detect when someone might need additional services or else they could be suffering from the negligence of the AI tool. The Social Dilemma also highlighted ways that technology can be used maliciously. It is important that social workers are able to reduce barriers are harm done to individuals on social media.
References
Bibbs, T. D., Wolfe-Taylor, S., Alston, N., Barron, M., Beaudoin, L., Bradley, S., Glennon, A. S., Munoz-Najar, J., Nissen, L., Rios, J., Szlyk, H., Wells, A., Yi, J., & Young, J. A. (2023). Constructing the future of Social Work Tech Habits of mind with the ethical OS. Advances in Social Work, 23(1), 132–147. https://doi.org/10.18060/24978
Jiang, M., Zhao, Q., Li, J., Wang, F., He, T., Cheng, X., Yang, B. X., Ho, G. W. K., & Fu, G. (2024, July 28). A generic review of integrating artificial intelligence in cognitive behavioral therapy. arXiv.org. https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.19422
MacDonald, L. M.-H. (2022a). Impact of working from home on addressing practitioner burnout and work–life balance in mental health. The Permanente Journal, 26(2), 77–82. https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/21.186
McLean, M. (2025, August 6). First we gave AI our tasks. now we’re giving it our hearts. First We Gave AI Our Tasks. Now We’re Giving It Our Hearts. https://www.afterbabel.com/p/ai-emotional-offloading?r=32tyct&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Reamer. (2023). International Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.55521/10-020-200
Ronad, I. (n.d.). Digital Transformation in social work: Integrating technology for enhanced practice, outreach, and Education. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366878490_Digital_Transformation_in_Social_Work_Integrating_Technology_for_Enhanced_Practice_Outreach_and_Education
Sanders, C. K., & Scanlon, E. (2021). The digital divide is a human rights issue: Advancing Social Inclusion Through Social Work Advocacy. Journal of Human Rights and Social Work, 6(2), 130–143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-020-00147-9
YouTube. (n.d.-a). The Social Dilemma . YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1jkyp8i8iU
YouTube. (n.d.). Your Brain on Social Media. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaFLrWZavG8
I enjoyed reading your post. Your reflections provided how interconnected these zones are. Zone 1 reminds us that misinformation and digital manipulation can have life or death consequences, especially when AI influences emotional or mental health decisions. As we have discussed, youth are using AI platforms for therapy and there is no filter or human aspect, unfortuately.
Zone 2 highlights an equally urgent issue, the addictive nature of digital engagement. Recognizing these behavioral patterns helps social workers better support clients struggling with anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem which can be linked to online habits. In Zone 3, your discussion of technological inequality ties directly to social justice. Access to reliable internet and digital literacy has become as essential as access to healthcare or education. Finally, Zone 8 adds a critical safety perspective. The example of Woebot shows that AI tools used ethically can support mental health, but they require human oversight to ensure clients are not overlooked or misunderstood. Overall, your blog post discusses how deeply technology now intersects with social work technological use and ethics.
Hi! I liked your point about how social media can act like a dopamine trigger. Much of the material covered described how that compulsive pull keeps us endlessly scrolling on social media, even if we know it’s harmful for our health. I also appreciated you mentioning zone three. Inequality is not just about income and it does really shape who gets support and who falls through the cracks. Limited access to internet and devices can prevent clients from getting even basic services, like telehealth and online resources.