If there is a right and wrong answer, there is no ethical dilemma An ethical dilemma occurs when one or more competing ethical principles must be considered and weighed against each

Social Media and Ethical Considerations

Walden’s MSW Social Media Policy

A student’s presence on and use of social media reflects on the MSW program and the social

work profession; therefore, behavior on social media will be held to the same professional

standards and student code of conduct expectations. Social Work professionals, including

students, are expected to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics related to virtual communications.

Students should use social work values and principles, as well as specific agency policy, to guide

their social media interactions.

Students need to consider the ethical consequences of their own social media use, as well as use

of social media in practice. Be aware of and follow agency policies regarding the use of social

media. Before using social media communication tools on behalf of a field agency, students

must seek agency approval of any messages or posts.

Walden MSW students are expected to adhere to the ethical standards outlined in the NASW

Code of Ethics. Common ethical issues that social workers need to understand and manage when

utilizing social media include, but are not limited to, privacy and confidentiality (Section 1.07),

conflicts of interest and dual relationships (Section 1.06), and informed consent (Section 1.03).

There is significant risk of unintentionally sharing protected information when using social

media. Be cautious when posting information about an agency. Never post confidential or

private information about clients or colleagues, even using pseudonyms.

Students need to remain aware of professional boundaries even when participating in social

media in their personal time. Managing “friend” requests and maintaining privacy settings is

critical regardless of whether a student uses social media for personal or professional reasons.

According to the Code of Ethics, “social workers should not engage in dual or multiple

relationships…in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client…and social

workers…are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries”

(1.06c). The Code of Ethics further clarifies use of technology as related to 1.06 Conflicts of

Interest:

(e) Social workers should avoid communication with clients using technology (such as

social networking sites, online chat, e-mail, text messages, telephone, and video) for

personal or non-work-related purposes.

(f) Social workers should be aware that posting personal information on professional

Web sites or other media might cause boundary confusion, inappropriate dual

relationships, or harm to clients.

(g) Social workers should be aware that personal affiliations may increase the likelihood

that clients may discover the social worker’s presence on Web sites, social media, and

other forms of technology. Social workers should be aware that involvement in electronic

communication with groups based on race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, gender

identity or expression, mental or physical ability, religion, immigration status, and other

personal affiliations may affect their ability to work effectively with particular clients.

(h) Social workers should avoid accepting requests from or engaging in personal

relationships with clients on social networking sites or other electronic media to prevent

boundary confusion, inappropriate dual relationships, or harm to clients.

The NASW Code of Ethics goes on to state, “Social workers should respect clients’ right to

privacy. Social workers should not solicit private information from clients unless it is essential

to providing services” (1.07a). Social work students should consider the ethics of obtaining

information about a client through social media means. According to the NASW Code of Ethics,

“Social workers should obtain client consent before conducting an electronic search on the client.

Exceptions may arise when the search is for purposes of protecting the client or other people

from serious, foreseeable, and imminent harm, or for other compelling professional reasons”

(1.03i).

Students are encouraged to further review the NASW, ASWB, CSWE, and CSWA Standards for

Technology in Social Work Practice.

Guidelines for the Use of Social Media

by Social Work Graduate Students

Walden MSW students are expected to adhere to the ethical standards outlined in the NASW

Code of Ethics. Our ethical obligations to clients, colleagues, and other professionals are no

different when using Facebook, Twitter, or other social media channels, as well as

communications via our cell phones such as texting or email.

Social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Instagram, Snapchat, and

various blog sites are just a few examples of ways to connect with others and share information.

However, the rapid growth of social media communication tools and their ease of accessibility

can also have unintended and potentially damaging consequences to users if basic guidelines are

ignored whether intentionally or not. Social Work professionals, including students, are

expected to adhere to social work values, ethics and engage in professional conduct as outlined

in the NASW Code of Ethics when using social media communication tools, whether they are

using a personal site or an agency site. Common issues that social workers need to understand

and manage when utilizing social media include, but are not limited to, privacy and

confidentiality (Section 1.07), conflicts of interest and dual relationships (Section 1.06), and

informed consent (Section 1.03) in our relationships with clients, colleagues, and in our practice

settings. Utilizing social media communication tools as a social work professional requires

ongoing attention to these ethical challenges. Inadvertent postings about trouble with coworkers,

classmates, and clients on different social media sites can be very harmful, especially in rural

practice where the identities of these mentioned individuals could be quickly surmised or

presumed. Keep in mind that your presence on and use of social media reflects on Walden and

the social work profession and your behavior will be held to the same professional standard and

student expectations.

Professional Use of Social Media versus Personal Use of Social Media:

As a social work professional, it is important to consider whether you are using social media

channels for professional activities such as advancing social justice issues, advocating for

vulnerable populations and promoting your professional identity versus using these sites to

maintain contact with friends and family. We must be cognizant that the legal, ethical, and

clinical responsibilities we have as professionals does not cease when we leave the agency nor is

it confined to the physical setting of an office. Our ethical obligations extend to the virtual world

of the Internet and include the use of social media communication tools whether we use them

professional or personally and to what sites or organizations we belong. It is therefore

paramount that our professional lives are mirrored in our personal ventures as well. It is your

responsibility to understand social media privacy settings and set them appropriately.

Facebook:

Managing friend requests and maintaining privacy settings is critical regardless of whether you

use social media for personal and/or professional reasons. Allowing clients, former clients, or

others, such as supervisors (and field instructors) in your professional circle to cross into your

personal life may complicate and blur your professional boundaries. This is particularly tricky

when managing Facebook accounts. As a professional, you must fully consider the extent of your

privacy settings, how you will manage friend requests, your level of self-disclosure, and how you

will monitor wall posts or other interactions on your site. Be aware that if you do not employ any

privacy settings on your social media site, your profile is public and anyone can see what is on

your page. Additionally, people can see when you are tagged in photos, view comments made

by others, note your status updates and see who you’ve friended. All professionals must evaluate

the scope of their social media connections. Since this is still an emerging professional topic,

some professionals may be cautious and guarded in their use of social media while others may be

more open and exposed. It is your responsibility as a professional social worker or student and

to abide by the Code of Ethics and your specific agency policy, including your virtual

communications and use social work values and principles to guide your interactions.

Text, email, and Twitter:

With the proliferation of hand held devices such as smart phones, accessing the Internet and

connecting with others is literally in the palm of our hands. Text, email, and Twitter are quick

and effective ways to communicate with others; however, many ethical, legal, and clinical issues

must be addressed when using these communication tools. For example, if you text a client, is

the text considered protected information under HIPAA? Are you ethically, legally, and/or

clinically bound to respond to a client who texts you after hours? How will you maintain the

privacy and confidentiality of these digital communications? Should texts be included in the

clinical record? If you maintain a public Twitter profile, anyone can read or reply to what you

post. Are you prepared to monitor and respond to questions and comments from clients who

follow your Tweets? These and many other issues are emerging as professionals learn to

navigate new and evolving technologies. As such, it is important to consider the security,

privacy, and confidentiality of all communication methods and when in doubt, seek consultation

and supervision before embarking into unfamiliar or uncertain areas.

Below are some general guidelines for the use of social media communication tools.

Maintain confidentiality and privacy:

There is a huge risk for unintentionally sharing protected information when using social media so

always use good ethical judgment. Be cautious when you post information about your agency

(field placement and classroom work, if you are a student) or agency staff. Never post

confidential or private information about clients or colleagues, even using pseudonyms. Be

aware of agency policies regarding the use of social media and scrupulously follow agency

policies. Do not discuss a client, patient, or situation on a social media site even if you are

disguising the information. In general, do not post anything about yourself that you would not

want on the front page of a newspaper. It is almost impossible to remove anything from the

Internet so once it is posted, tagged, tweeted, or followed, you had better feel good about it.

Respect time and property:

Before using social media communication tools on behalf of your agency, be sure to seek

approval of any messages or posts. Be careful not to endorse or promote a product, cause, or

position without prior approval. If you have personal sites, maintain them on your own time

using your own computer. (If you are a student, your time in field and the resources provided to

you in your field placement are to be used for field related matters.)

Be accurate and authentic:

Do not pretend to be someone else or hide your identity when using social media. Be clear if you

are sharing personal views and use good judgment regarding sensitive issues. Verify information

before you post it, correct mistakes in a timely manner, and be aware of legal liability issues such

as copyright infringement, defamation, and posting proprietary information.

Protect your identity:

Understand how privacy settings work and review them regularly. Refrain from providing too

much personal information such as your home address or full birth date. Don’t post in advance

when you plan to be on vacation or away from home for an extended period of time. In addition,

by no means post provocative images of yourself or family that may come back to haunt you at

some future point in time.

Think before you post:

There is no such thing as privacy on a social media site or the Internet. Comments can be

forwarded or copied, posts and pictures can be found on search engines years after the initial

publication, and archival systems save information even after you delete it. Consider the image

you are portraying by the photos and comments you post. Are you projecting the image you want

future employers (and faculty members), advisors and friends to know you by? What you write

or post is ultimately your responsibility so be thoughtful about your on-line communication. Be

certain that what you post today will not come back to haunt you a few years from now.

Do no harm:

Social media channels provide an excellent means to build our community; however, as you

navigate these channels, do no harm to yourself, your field site, your clients, Walden, or the

social work profession in the process.