Part 1
Reamer (2023) shares a case of a clinical social worker who was considering whether to conduct an online search about a client to verify the reports of abuse during a custody dispute. I chose this case because I think it reflects a dilemma many social workers may face today, given how easy it is to access client information online within seconds.
My assessment of the situation is that the social workers desire to check into the client’s report likely comes from a place concern and wanting accuracy, which is especially important in cases involving domestic violence and child custody. However, as noted by the text, searching the internet for information on a client creates a risk of crossing professional boundaries (Reamer, 2023). It is an invasion of privacy and it also opens the door for bias. If the social worker was to come across something on the internet and it shapes their judgment about the client, rather then relying on what is shared in session, that becomes problematic.
I believe the best practice in this case would be to for the social worker to avoid assumptions and not to conduct the online searches without the client’s consent. Instead the social worker should directly address the inconsistencies in session, so the client has the opportunity to clarify. If there are still concerns, I would suggest the social worker reach out to a supervisor for consultation on the best next steps.
Part 2
Reamer (2023) describes altruism as a boundary dynamic where social workers desire to help can unintentionally blur lines. For example, even something small as replying to a client’s message after hours, or posting helpful content online could be misread as an invitation for personal communication. I chose this example because I think it is probably one of the most common challenges for social workers in the digital age.
While I personally do not know any situations of this occurring, I will say that I follow social work accounts on TikTok where professionals will share day in the life videos, tips, and advice for those in the field. I hadn’t really considered how doing so could possibly lead to those ethically gray areas.
One article I found discusses the boundary challenges social workers face with social media and altruism. While social workers, like anyone else, have freedom of expression, their online activity can still affect professional relationships with clients (Barsky, 2017). Barsky reminds us that social media is never fully private, so even posts with well intentions can be misinterpreted (2017). Because of this, social workers need to be mindful of how what we share online could create conflicts of interest. I also found it helpful that the article encourages us to pause before posting and ask whether the content reflects the values and ethics of social work.
Part 3
I think Reamers suggestions to develop a social media policy is smart and practical. It helps set clear expectations upfront and can reduce the risk of misunderstanding about is what appropriate and inappropriate. Reamer (2023) mentioned some good examples of what should be included in such a policy, like outlining the professional use of social networking sites and email, as well as explaining why social workers cannot friend clients online.
Another area that could be included in the social media policy is expectations around posting personal opinions or political views on platforms client’s might access. Social workers are ethically bound to avoid imposing their values on clients (NASW, 2021, Section 1.06). Even if these posts are well intentioned, they could come across as judgmental and potentially make clients feel unsafe or misunderstood. Overall, I think the suggested strategies would be effective because they create transparency and also accountability. These kinds of social media policies help protect clients and also provide social workers with a framework to navigate the digital age while maintaining ethical standards.
References
Barsky, A. E. (2017). Social Work Practice and Technology: Ethical Issues and Policy Responses. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 35(1), 8–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228835.2017.1277906
National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
Reamer, F. G. (2023). Social work boundary issues in the digital age: Reflections of an ethics expert. Advances in Social Work, 23(2), 395–407. https://doi.org/10.18060/26358
Hi!! I think it is great how you brought up the dilemma around searching for client information online. At my current job, they ask us to utilize social media to find clients. I don’t because I do not agree and refuse to use my personal page to spy on someone. It’s also so easy to get curious or want to fact-check something, especially in high-stakes cases, but I agree that it can easily cross a line. It’s a tough balance between wanting to protect clients and respecting their privacy. I also liked what you said about social media and altruism. I’ve seen some of those “day in the life” posts too, and while they seem harmless, I never really thought about how they could be misinterpreted or even create blurred boundaries. It’s a good reminder that just because something is helpful or well-intentioned doesn’t mean it’s ethically appropriate in our field. I always say be very careful what you post online becuause it can be shared and online for years to come even after you “deleted” the video. Great blog!
I think it’s interesting that there are so many social workers or therapists on social media sharing personal information or tips and day in the life information. I do think that these pages could potentially be helpful to people looking for free advice on the internet but the concern of clients and professional crossover would discourage me from sharing on a personal page. We can’t control whether or not a client searches for us on social media so it seems imperative that social workers keep their social media private and be careful what we share. I agree that as social workers we should avoid looking up our clients online so as to avoid potentially making assumptions outside of what a client shares. That boundary seems that it should be held by all social workers.
Great post! I like how you pointed out that online searches risk bias and privacy violation and addressing it in sessions and consulting with the supervisor is practical. The view than the social worker’s instinct to verify information may come as a genuine concerns but we have to recognize the ethical risks of privacy invasion and bias. Also, I like how you underlined that nothing online is fully private.