Social Work Boundary Issues in the Digital Age: Reflections of an Ethics Expert (1 credit hour)

Program Summary:  This course explores social work boundary issues and ethical conflicts that result from a growing use of technology and remote contact with clients.  The course examines three forms of boundary challenges encountered by social workers in the digital age:  ethical judgments, ethical mistakes, and ethical misconduct.  Case examples are given.  Boundary issues related to intimacy, emotional and dependency needs, personal gain, altruism, and unanticipated circumstances are identified.  The NASW Code of Ethics and the NASW Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice are discussed and offer updated ethics and technology standards for social workers.

“With growth in the use of communication technology in various aspects of social work practice, social workers need to be aware of the unique challenges that may arise in relation to the maintenance of confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, professional competence, record keeping, and other ethical considerations” (NASW Code of Ethics).

NASW Code of Ethics:  https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English

NASW Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice:  https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/NASW-Practice-Standards-Guidelines/Standards-for-Technology-in-Social-Work-Practice

This course is recommended for social workers and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  This course is not recommended for NBCC ethics credit.

“Book  Open the Course Reading Here.

Reading:  Social Work Boundary Issues in the Digital Age:  Reflections of an Ethics Expert  Author:  Frederic G. Reamer, PhD  Publisher:  Advances in Social Work

Course Objectives:  To enhance professional practice, values, skills and knowledge by exploring social work boundary issues in the digital age.

Learning Objectives:  Provide an example of a social work boundary issue in the digital age.  Compare the three forms of ethical challenges encountered by social workers in the digital age:  ethical judgments, ethical mistakes, and ethical misconduct.  Identify boundary issues related to emotional needs, personal gain, altruism, and unanticipated circumstances.

Review our pre-reading study guide.

Course Available Until: January 31, 2029.

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1: Which of the following is an example of a potential boundary issue?
 
 
 
 
2: Novel boundary and dual relationship challenges encountered by social workers in the digital age are appearing in the form of
 
 
 
 
3: The social worker, who specialized in sex therapy, considered sending the couple an email message containing links to a number of websites that offer advice on ways to enhance sexual intimacy.  This example describes which of the following forms of boundary challenges?
 
 
 
4: The social worker thought he understood how to use Facebook's privacy settings to limit access to postings about his recent divorce. However, the client was able to access many of the social worker's postings about his personal relationships.  This example describes which of the following forms of boundary challenges?
 
 
 
5: The social worker began sending text messages to the client, allegedly to check on her well-being. Over time, the text message exchanges became increasingly informal. On several occasions, the pair met for coffee. Eventually they began a sexual relationship.  This example describes which of the following forms of boundary challenges?
 
 
 
6: A disturbing percentage of misconduct cases involve
 
 
 
 
7: Inappropriate self-disclosure is an example of a boundary issue related to:
 
 
 
 
8: Obtaining online medical advice from a client is an example of a boundary issue related to:
 
 
 
 
9: Which of the following boundary issues might be especially common when social workers live and work in small communities, such as rural areas or on military bases?
 
 
 
 
10: Social workers who use social media shall develop a social media policy that they share with clients (Standard 2.10 NASW Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice).
 
 

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After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course.

G.M. Rydberg-Cox, MSW, LSCSW is the Continuing Education Director at Free State Social Work and responsible for the development of this course.  She received her Masters of Social Work in 1996 from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois-Chicago and she has over 20 years of experience.  She has lived and worked as a social worker in Chicago, Boston, and Kansas City.  She has practiced for many years in the area of hospital/medical social work.  The reading materials for this course were developed by another organization.

Course Available Until: January 31, 2029.
Filed under: Boundaries, Ethics, Technology