Technology is changing everything about how we show up as social workers, how we connect, communicate, and even how we think about safety and advocacy. Whether it’s telehealth, electronic documentation, or social media, tech can make our work more accessible but also a lot more complicated.
Here are four that stood out to me and how I see them showing up in our field.
Zone 1: Truth, Disinformation, and Propaganda
We live in a world where misinformation spreads faster than facts. Clients might come in with things they’ve seen online about mental health, addiction, or medication that aren’t true, but sound convincing. As social workers, we have to navigate those conversations with empathy and evidence.
This connects back to our class discussions on ethics and technology, how we, as professionals, have to stay grounded in truth and help clients make sense of what’s real and what’s not. Helping clients build media literacy and critical thinking isn’t just about tech; it’s about empowerment and self-determination.
Zone 2: Addiction and the Dopamine Economy
Let’s be honest, most of us are a little too attached to our screens. And for clients struggling with recovery, anxiety, or trauma, that constant online stimulation can make things worse. But it’s not just clients; we can fall into it, too. Answering late-night messages, doomscrolling after hard sessions, or feeling like we can’t fully disconnect.
That’s where trauma stewardship really comes in. Learning to manage our relationship with technology is part of caring for ourselves and preventing burnout. Taking breaks from screens, setting boundaries with work notifications, and being intentional about how we use technology can protect both us and the people we serve.
Zone 4: Machine Ethics and Algorithmic Bias
This one hits deep because it challenges how “neutral” we think technology is. Algorithms used in everything from hiring tools to social services can reflect the same biases we see in society. That means technology can unintentionally reinforce inequality, like predictive systems labeling certain families as “high risk” based on biased data.
For social workers, this zone reminds us to ask hard questions: Who built this system? Who benefits from it? And most importantly, who might it harm? Our ethical responsibility doesn’t stop at using technology; it includes advocating for fairness in how it’s designed and applied.
Zone 8: Hateful and Criminal Actors
Social media and online spaces can create connections, but they can also open the door to harassment, exploitation, and digital abuse. Clients from marginalized backgrounds are especially at risk, and sometimes that online harm is invisible until it becomes a crisis.
As social workers, we need to treat digital safety as part of overall safety planning. That means helping clients protect their information online, recognize red flags, and know their options if they’re being harassed or stalked digitally. It also means setting up boundaries for ourselves, since secondary exposure to online hate or trauma can take a toll, too.
The Ethical OS reminded me that being a social worker in today’s world means staying mindful not only about what we do, but how we do it. Every click, post, or platform we use has ripple effects. Technology isn’t good or bad by itself; it’s how we engage with it that matters.
When we combine ethical tech awareness with trauma-informed care and boundaries, we can create a version of social work that’s both modern and deeply human.
References
Bibbs, T. D., Wolfe-Taylor, S., Alston, N., Barron, M., Beaudoin, L., Bradley, S., Glennon, A. S., Muñoz-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
Lipsky, L. V. (2009). Trauma stewardship: An everyday guide to caring for self while caring for others. Berrett-Koehler.
“That’s where trauma stewardship really comes in. Learning to manage our relationship with technology is part of caring for ourselves and preventing burnout. Taking breaks from screens, setting boundaries with work notifications, and being intentional about how we use technology can protect both us and the people we serve.” This quote really stood out to me and something I will take with me as I venture further into my social work career. It truly is about taking care of ourselves and managing our intake of information.