Positioning Technology in Social Work Practice and Education in India: Ethics, Competence, and Care in the Age of Commercial Determinants Standards of Care for the Ethical Use of Technology in Social Work Practice and Teaching in India
By
National Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI) at
14th Indian Social Work Conference (ISWC) 2026 Conference Theme: “From Welfare to Wellbeing: Reimagining Social Work Practice for Viksit Bharat”
2–4 November 2026
Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, Assam
NAPSWI
Preface NAPSWI is aware that world is changing fast and technology is one of the prime movers which affects the expectations from professional social workers on one hand and the roles and responsibilities on the other. NAPSWI in its 13th Indian Social work Conference at Centurion University of technology and Management, Bhubaneshwar has discussed Standards of Care for the Ethical Use of Technology in Social Work Practice and Teaching in India at length and put on website before adoption as Bhubaneshwar Declaration. After discussion, it emerges as ‘Positioning Technology in Social Work Practice and Education in India: Ethics, Competence, and Care in the Age of Commercial Determinants.’ It was also suggested that it should be integrated with the Code of Ethics for Professional Social workers released by NAPSWI more than a decade ago. Since the definition of Professional work is also under revision, it was also suggested that these documents should be made complimentary and in consonance of each other. We are thankful to the large number of professional social workers who gave their time and energy in creating this document for the wider use and affecting public policies. I am personally thankful to Sh Suneel Vatsayanan (Delhi), Dr Pradeep Kumar (Bhubaneshwar), Professors Anoop Bhartiya (Lucknow), Suresh Pathare, Arun Kumar, Nagmani Rao, Keshav Walke (all from Nagpur), D K Laldas (Hyderabad), Brij Mohan (LSU, USA), Venkat Pulla Rao (Brisbane Institute of Strengths, Australia), JM. Arul Kamraj (Chennai) for their comments and suggestions. Thanks to Mr Om Rajendra Chaudhary for his secretarial assistance. We are sure that social work profession in general and the professional social workers in particular, as well as society at large will be benefitted. We will keep updating these documents as per need in near future. Prof Sanjai Bhatt President, NAPSWI 1st November 2026
Positioning Technology in Social Work Practice and Education in India: Ethics, Competence, and Care in the Age of Commercial Determinants 1. Background: Technology as a Means and a Medium in Social Work The rapid digitization of human services—ranging from tele-counselling and digital case management to AI-driven welfare systems—has made technology a core component of social work practice, teaching, and administration. While technology enhances efficiency and access, its commercial determinants—profit motives, data ownership, surveillance capitalism, and algorithmic bias—pose significant ethical dilemmas to the principles of care, confidentiality, and human rights that underpin the social work profession. In India, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 calls for integrating technology into all levels of education, emphasizing digital pedagogy, research innovation, and inclusivity. However, the policy also stresses the need for humanistic education—making it essential that social work educators and practitioners interpret technology as a means, not an end, in promoting well-being and social justice.
2. Social Work in the Context of the NAPSWI Code of Ethics The National Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI) defines Professional social work is based on democratic values, humanitarian philosophy with central focus on the human relationships and human dignity. In India, the profession of social work draws its strengths from indigenous wisdom, constitutional commitment for equality, social justice and human rights, and scientific knowledge base. Its professional practice contributes to macro level understanding and policy change while continuing to focus on people at individual, group and the community levels. As a practice-based profession its interactions enrich institutions and systems at all levels through culturally responsive interventions that aim at individual and social wellbeing. Its central concerns are empowerment of vulnerable, oppressed, and marginalised sections of our communities and as a practice it endeavours to partake in social change, sustainable development through participatory and collaboratory processes with people in need, institutions and the state.(NAPSWI, 6th Indian social work congress 2018 at Delhi, https://www.napswi.org/definition.html)
Professional Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that advances social change, development, cohesion, and empowerment. Grounded in the principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility, and respect for diversity, the NAPSWI Code of Ethics provides guidance for ethical conduct in relation to clients, colleagues, organizations, and society. The Code emphasizes: ● ● ● ● ●
Human dignity and worth Competence and professional integrity Confidentiality and informed consent Social justice and sustainability Ethical use of technology in service delivery and education
The challenge today lies in aligning these ethical standards with the realities of technological and commercial ecosystems that increasingly shape human interaction, privacy, and welfare systems.
3. Technology as a Social Work Means and Intervention a) Technology as a Means Technology serves as a tool for service delivery — improving communication, accessibility, and documentation in social work. Examples include: ● e-Counselling and digital support groups ● Online data collection for social research ● Telehealth for community-based interventions ● Social media for advocacy and mobilization When used ethically, technology strengthens participation and empowerment.
b) Technology as an Intervention Beyond being a tool, technology itself has become a field of social intervention — influencing behavior, identity, and access to resources. Social workers must now engage with digital divides, misinformation, data exploitation, and AI-driven discrimination as social problems requiring advocacy and regulation. Here, social work’s role extends from using technology to critiquing and reshaping it for social good.
4. Threats to Ethical Practice and Standards of Care
The commercial determinants of technology — where platforms and services are designed for profit, data monetization, and behavioural control — threaten core social work values: Social Work Principles Respect for Dignity and Worth Do No Harm Confidentiality Informed Consent Competence Social Justice Integrity
Potential Threat from Commercial Technology Data profiling and digital exclusion of vulnerable clients Over-reliance on automated decisions leading to loss of personal judgment Breach of client privacy due to weak data protection Ambiguous online terms of service and algorithmic opacity Digital skill gaps among professionals leading to poor service quality Inequitable access to technology and algorithmic bias Conflicts of interest in corporate-funded digital interventions
Thus, the standard of care—the hallmark of professional social work—requires renewed ethical vigilance in technological contexts
5. Ethical and Educational Responsibilities in the NEP 2020 Era The NEP 2020 envisions education that combines technology with empathy, ethics, and critical thinking. For social work, this translates into: 1. Curricular Integration ○ Embedding digital ethics, data justice, and AI literacy in social work curricula. ○ Training students to evaluate technology as both a resource and a determinant of inequality. 2. Pedagogical Innovation ○ Using blended and distance learning while maintaining student–educator boundaries and informed consent in digital spaces. ○ Ensuring accessibility for students from marginalized groups. 3. Professional Competence ○ Redefining “competence” beyond technical skills to include ethical digital care, critical understanding of algorithms, and advocacy for equitable tech governance. 4. Field Education and Supervision
○ Adapting fieldwork methods to online and hybrid settings while preserving confidentiality, trust, and relational depth.
6. The Way Forward: Building Ethical Digital Competence in Social Work To safeguard professional integrity and relevance in a technologically mediated society, India’s social work community must: ● Establish standards for ethical use of technology, aligned with NAPSWI’s Code of Ethics and the IFSW 2014 Global & NAPSWI definition. ● Advocate for policy frameworks that protect clients’ data, autonomy, and digital rights. ● Develop capacity-building modules for digital competence among practitioners and educators. ● Promote research on commercial determinants of technology — how market forces shape care, communication, and community life.
● Foster a human–technology partnership grounded in care, justice, and sustainability. 7. Conclusion Technology, when used with ethical clarity and professional competence, can enhance social work’s reach and impact. However, when driven by commercial imperatives without adequate safeguards, it can erode trust, violate dignity, and commodify care. Positioning technology as a means and intervention within the ethical boundaries of social work practice ensures that digital progress remains human-centred. As envisioned by the NEP 2020 and NAPSWI Code of Ethics, the goal is not to technologize social work but to socialize technology — ensuring that every innovation upholds human rights, dignity, and social justice.
Standards of Care for the Ethical Use of Technology in Social Work Practice and Teaching in India PREAMBLE Technology has become integral to social work practice, education, and administration. Digital tools offer new possibilities for outreach, advocacy, learning, and service delivery—especially in a postpandemic, connected world. However, these developments also introduce ethical, legal, and human concerns relating to privacy, equity, misinformation, and the digital divide. Consistent with the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes digital inclusion, critical thinking, and ethical professional practice, and guided by the National Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI) Code of Ethics and , this standard aims to establish principles and practices for responsible, human-centred, and ethical use of technology in both social work practice and teaching.
1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.1 To provide ethical and professional standards for the use of technology in social work practice, education, research, and supervision. 1.2 To safeguard the dignity, privacy, and rights of clients, learners, and professionals in digital environments. 1.3 To ensure that technology enhances human connection rather than replaces it. 1.4 To align digital practice with the core mandates of social work — social change, social development, social cohesion, and empowerment. 1.5 To foster responsible innovation that upholds human rights, social justice, and sustainability as envisioned in NEP 2020.
2. SCOPE AND COVERAGE These standards apply to: ● ●
Professional social workers and students using technology in practice, research, or education; Social work educators and supervisors employing technology for teaching and evaluation; ● Social work institutions, NGOs, and agencies utilizing digital tools for service delivery, communication, advocacy, or administration.
3. OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS (The terms such as clients, competence, confidentiality, ethics, human rights, informed consent, etc., hold the same meaning and interpretation, as mentioned in the NAPSWI Code of Ethics, www.napswi.org) Additional definitions for this standard are as under: ● ●
Technology: Any electronic or digital platform, device, or tool used for service delivery, communication, teaching, or data management. Digital Practice: The intentional and ethical use of online tools to facilitate social work functions—assessment, counselling, community organization, supervision, and advocacy.
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Digital Literacy: The ability to critically, safely, and ethically use technology in professional contexts.
4. CORE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES These standards are grounded in six ethical principles derived from the NAPSWI Code and the Global Definition of Social Work: 1. Human Dignity and Rights: Technology must respect the autonomy, consent, and privacy of clients and students. 2. Social Justice: Ensure equitable access to digital services and education, addressing the digital divide. 3. Integrity and Transparency: Uphold honesty, authenticity, and accuracy in digital representation and communication. 4. Competence: Maintain digital competence through continuous learning and awareness of emerging technologies. 5. Confidentiality: Protect all digital information, communication, and records from unauthorized access or misuse. 6. Sustainability: Use technology in environmentally and socially responsible ways, mindful of accessibility and inclusivity.
5. STANDARDS OF CARE 5.1. Provision of Information and Representation ● ●
Social workers must represent themselves and their services accurately in all digital platforms. Institutions must provide clear, accessible information about the scope, risks, and benefits of technology-mediated interventions.
5.2. Designing and Delivering Technology-Based Services Standard 5.2.1 – Ethical Use of Technology: Use digital platforms only when they enhance access, participation, and quality of care. The use of AI or automated tools must preserve human oversight and accountability. Standard 5.2.2 – Competence: Professionals and students must demonstrate competence in digital communication, online counselling, and data management. Institutions should provide regular training. Standard 5.2.3 – Informed Consent: Before delivering services or collecting information digitally, obtain informed consent that includes potential risks (data breaches, technological failures, etc.). Standard 5.2.4 – Confidentiality: All communications and client data must be encrypted, securely stored, and accessed only by authorized personnel.
Standard 5.2.5 – Boundaries and social media: Maintain professional boundaries in digital spaces. Personal social media accounts should not be used for professional purposes and vice versa. Standard 5.2.6 – Accessibility and Inclusion: Ensure services are accessible to clients with limited digital literacy or resources. Provide offline alternatives when necessary. Standard 5.2.7 – Emergency Protocols: Prepare contingency plans for technology failures, cyberattacks, or emergency disruptions. 5.3. Managing and Storing Information ●
Digital information must comply with the Information Technology Act (India, 2000) and data protection laws.
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Regularly review, update, and safely archive or delete data to prevent misuse.
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Avoid searching for client information online without explicit consent or professional necessity.
5.4. Use of Technology in Education and Supervision Standard 5.4.1 – Digital Pedagogy: Use technology as a means to promote experiential, reflective, and collaborative learning, as envisioned by NEP 2020. Standard 5.4.2 – Equity in Education: Institutions must ensure access to digital learning for students from marginalized or rural backgrounds. Standard 5.4.3 – Academic Integrity: Maintain ethical standards in the creation, sharing, and citation of online materials. Standard 5.4.4 – Supervision: Virtual supervision must mirror the ethical and pedagogical standards of in-person guidance, ensuring confidentiality and reflective learning. Standard 5.4.5 – Evaluation: Assess digital assignments and online field work with transparency, fairness, and respect for privacy.
5.5. Research and Publication ● ● ●
Obtain informed consent for online data collection. Ensure anonymity and confidentiality in digital publications and presentations. Acknowledge the ethical implications of AI, algorithmic bias, and data manipulation in social research.
6. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Social workers and educators must continually update their digital literacy and ethical awareness. Institutions and professional associations (e.g., NAPSWI, schools of social work) should organize regular workshops on: ● ● ● ●
Cyber ethics and data protection, AI and automation in social work, Online counselling and telehealth ethics, Responsible digital advocacy and campaigning.
7. ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
● Institutions must develop internal Digital Ethics Committees to review online practices and protect client/student interests.
● All digital activities must be documented, auditable, and compliant with institutional and national standards.
● Breaches of these standards should be reported and addressed through transparent disciplinary mechanisms. 8. CONCLUSION Technology in social work must serve humanity—not substitute it. By integrating ethical digital competence into both social work practice and education, India can ensure that its future professionals are empathetic, accountable, and prepared for a technology-driven society. This Standard of Care for the Use of Technology in Social Work Practice and Teaching thus seeks to uphold the spirit of the NEP 2020 and the NAPSWI Code of Ethics, bridging innovation with inclusion and progress with people. (Published by NAPSWI on November 1, 2026)