PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN SOCIAL WORK AND EMERGING CHALLENGES IN THE DIGITAL AGE

DOI: 10.18173/2354-1067.2025-0000

Abstract

Professional ethics constitute the foundational framework of social work, shaping both the conduct and decision-making processes of practitioners. In the context of rapid advancements in digital technology, the integration of digital tools into social work practice has generated significant opportunities for innovation. However, it has concurrently introduced complex ethical dilemmas, including but not limited to issues of confidentiality, professional boundaries, informed consent in digital environments, and the evolving requirements for digital competence. In Vietnam, although the Code of Ethics for Social Work was promulgated under Circular No. 01/2017/TT-BLĐTBXH, its provisions remain largely general and lack concrete guidelines for ethical practice in digitally mediated settings. This study employs a systematic thematic analysis of 35 selected scholarly and professional documents, drawn from an initial pool of 87, to examine the ethical challenges emerging from social work practice in the digital age. From there, the article offers contextually grounded recommendations to support the development of a more comprehensive and responsive ethical foundation for professional social work practice in Vietnam.