Social Work on the Internet: An Introduction

Unlimited information and global communication relevant to professional social work researchers and practitioners can be found in the world of cyberspace. What started from cold and impersonal beginnings (for scientists and military programming) has grown into a user-friendly network of exploration. The Internet (or "the Net") "is a vast global network that enables computers of all kinds to share services and correspond directly, as if they were part of one giant machine. It has the capability of changing many of the ways in which people interact and communicate" (Myrick & Sabella, 1995, p. 38). One of the most unusual features of the Internet is that it can be labeled "socially unstratified." "That is, one computer is no better than another, and no person is any better than any other person. Who you are on the net depends solely on how you present yourself through the keyboard" (Levine & Baroudi, 1994, p. 10). Traits such as age, occupation, and physical disabilities do not matter. What you type about yourself is what counts. For social workers and other human services professionals anywhere in the world, the Internet increases access to empirical and practice knowledge and also facilitates information exchange. The Internet's facilities encompass a broad range of services to augment education and practice. In addition, it can provide supports when regular services are not available or supplement existing ones. To get onto the Internet, one needs to have access to a computer or computer terminal, a modem, a telephone line, and communication software. A knowledgeable computer salesperson or consultant can help with online system requirements. Access to this domain can then be obtained through such means as electronic mail (e-mail), information retrieval, bulletin boards, online conversations, and Internet relay chats. As use of the Internet increases, it also is wise to be wary of its pitfalls. Although many writers praise the virtues of electronic information and online communities, it is important to note that this electronic frontier also may be dangerous. For example, sometimes people are not who they appear to be, because this medium provides a domain whereby people can hide their true identities. In addition, consumers must be wary of the information they obtain online. It is important to remember that like "in real life," referred to as "IRL" in cyberspeak, just because something is written or has its own Web page does not necessarily mean the information obtained is accurate. Bainbridge (1995) asserted that the Internet has the potential to enhance scientific progress, present new opportunities for research, and provide access to new science. Yet he stated, "sociologists are only beginning to become critical of the potential social harm of the universal net, however, and to take advantage of research opportunities to study net society" (p. 508). Bainbridge refers to the "virtual communities" that exist on the Net as "cyburgs," explaining that the Net effectively substitutes for traditional face-to-face relationships, collectively linking geographically dispersed people. Some people who otherwise would be socially isolated find their most important relationships through the Net. As the availability of information increases and continues to develop on the Internet, it is important to recognize that in a sense, information is becoming a commodity. Commercialism is expanding on the Net, and advertisements are finding their way through cyberspace. It may be wise to study who has access to computers and computing services, in addition to who pays the monthly charges for using the Net. Bainbridge (1995) stated that the advantage in getting and using socioeconomic data effectively may still remain with the people who have the most advanced experience or the money to hire it. Thus, commercialism raises the issue of whether the net will reduce or increase the degree of stratification among data users, and the null hypothesis would have to be no change at all. …