Negotiating the Digital Line: A Qualitative Inquiry into the Use of Communication Technologies in Professional Child and Youth Care Practice

Abstract

While social and communication technologies are changing the world at warp speed, little is known about how Child and Youth Care (CYC) practitioners are using these technologies in their work with children, youth, and families. This article reports findings from a qualitative study that explored potential boundary and ethical implications related to the integration of communication technologies by CYC practitioners in their professional relationships with children, youth, and families. The study also sought to examine what form of communication technologies is being used most commonly and the nature of agency policies, standards, and procedures that address the use of this technology by CYC practitioners with clients.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n1s2p75