Crcc code of ethics

Journal o f Applied Rehabilitation Counseling

Boundaries with Social Media: Ethical Considerations fo r Rehabilitation Professionals Ashley K. Crtalic Reg L. Gibbs Matthew E. Sprang Tom F. Dell

Abstract — The increase in social networking media, online and distance counseling, and the ubiquitous use o f laptops, hand-held devices, and internet connected devices at home and in work settings have resulted in the need f o r ethical standards to help guide rehabilitation p ro ­ fessionals in service delivery. In response, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Cer­ tification (CRCC) has incorporated Section J: Technology and Distance Counseling into the CRCC Code o f Ethics. Additionally, the CRCC released a social media policy on their website. However, specific ethical standards addressing the use o f social media have not been implemented. The purpose o f this manuscript is to address potential issues that can arise in interacting with clients through social media. Specifically, we will discuss the follow ing ar­ eas: (1) digital immigrants and natives, (2) social media mechanics, (3) advantages o f using social media, (4) disadvantages o f using social media, (5) social media and the CRCC Code o f Ethics, (6) using social media professionally, privately, or not at all, and (7) implementing a social media policy. Discussion and recommendations are provided.

The increase in social networking media, online and distance counseling, and the ubiquitous use o f laptops, hand-held devices, and internet connected devices at home and in work settings have resulted in the need for counseling professions to provide ethical standards to address privacy and security concerns (Mui, Sprong, Lee, Chowdhury, & Flowers, 2013). One such counseling organization that has developed ethical guidelines to address the potential ethical concerns o f the use of technology in distance counseling is the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). The CRCC is a professional organization that establishes a standard o f quality for rehabilitation professionals working in different avenues o f service delivery (Parker & Patterson, 2012). The primary focus o f this profession is to improve the subjective well-being (feeling o f satisfaction with life) o f persons with disabilities by addressing their vocational, medical, psychological, and social needs (Rubin & Roessler, 2008).

The CRCC has established certification procedures for rehabilitation professionals (Certified Rehabilitation Counselors [CRC]) interested in “providing services w ithin the scope o f p ractice for rehabilitation

professionals...while demonstrating the beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and skills, to provide competent counseling services to work collaboratively with diverse groups of in­ dividuals...” (CRCC Code o f Ethics, 2009, p. 1). Further­ more, the CRCC has developed comprehensive ethical guidelines to help facilitate effective service delivery. A current topic o f interest and potential ethical concern is in­ teracting with clients via social media by rehabilitation pro­ fessionals in a world where the use o f social media as a communication medium is becoming increasingly popular. According to Kaplan and Haenlein (2010), social media is “a group o f Internet-based applications that ... allow the creation and exchange o f User Generated Content” (p. 61), and include websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedln. These websites are experiencing much growth, as users continue to subscribe to social media platforms every day. For example, Facebook has grown to 1.39 billion monthly active users, including 890 million who used Facebook on a daily basis (Facebook Newsroom, 2015).