Should social workers view the social media of service users?

Welcome to Learn on the go, a Community Care Inform podcast where we discuss what the latest research, practice models and policy guidance mean to your practice.In this episode, we discuss social work and social media.The experts are Claudia Megele, chair of the principal social worker network, and Jenny Simpson, head of social work (England) at the Open University.2:49 – 8:00: Jenny and Claudia define the key social media networks and who they appeal to, including Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram.8:24 – 27:00: Jenny and Claudia discuss the ethical and legal issues of accessing service users’ social media, relationship-based working and the importance of consent.Read the Community Care investigation into social workers using social media to find evidence on service users: https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2018/11/28/social-workers-using-social-media-find-evidence-service-users-lack-guidance-leaves-knowledge-gaps/References Boyd, D (2007)'Why Youth (Heart) Social Network Sites: The Role of Networking Publics in Teenage Social Life'In Buckingham, D (ed)  MacArthur Foundation Series on Digital Learning – Youth, Identity and Digital Media VolumeCambridge MA: MIT PressBreyette, S K and Hill, K (2015)'The impact of electronic communication and social media on child welfare practice'Journal of Technology in Human Services, Volume 33, Issue 4, pp283-303Congress, E P (2000)'What social workers should know about ethics: Understanding and resolving ethical dilemmas'Advances in Social Work, Volume 1, Issue 1, pp1–25Doel, M; Allmark, P; Conway, P; Cowburn, M; Flynn, M; Nelson, P and Tod, A (2010)'Professional boundaries: Crossing a Line or Entering The Shadows'British Journal of Social Work, Volume 40, pp1866-1889McLuhan, M (1964)Understanding Media: The Extensions of ManMIT PressMegele, C and Buzzi, P (2019)Social Media and Social Work: Implications and Opportunities for PracticePolicy PressSage, T and Sage, M (2016)'Social Media Use in Child Welfare Practice'Advances in Social Work, Volume 17, Issue 1, pp93-112Simpson, J (2016)'A divergence of opinion: how those involved in child and family social work are responding to the challenges of the Internet and social media'Child and Family Social Work, Volume 21, Issue 1, pp94–102