Technology in Social Work with Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review

IF 1.7 4区医学 Q2 SOCIAL WORK

Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal Pub Date : 2026-07-25 DOI:10.1007/s10560-026-01149-8

Clara Grech-Santi, Rubén González-Rodríguez, Paula Frieiro, Breogán Rioboó-Lois

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies can serve as facilitating tools for Social Work interventions with adolescents and young people. This systematic review aims to analyse and synthesise the use of digital tools in Social Work with this population. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, with searches carried out in Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO . Initially, 2,720 studies were identified, and after applying the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 articles met all requirements for inclusion in the review. The results were organised into four categories: a) Access to and participation in social services, b) Research and diagnosis, c) Intervention and social support, and d) Evaluation of Digital Social Work. The findings show that ICTs enhance accessibility, promote participation, strengthen personal autonomy, and facilitate professional accompaniment. ICTs transform Social Work with young people by improving access to social services, identifying needs and risks, and supporting the transition to adulthood. Digital platforms and social media expand communication, foster autonomy, support socio-labour integration, and promote psychosocial well-being by creating safe, anonymous, and participatory spaces. However, persistent digital divides and ethical risks related to privacy, inequality, and data protection require critical, inclusive, and ethically responsible strategies. The review concludes that future digital Social Work interventions must actively involve young people, professionals, and institutions in the design, access, evaluation, and adaptation of technological tools to advance towards a more inclusive, participatory, and transformative practice in the digital era.

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青少年和青年社会工作中的技术：系统回顾

信息和通信技术可以作为社会工作干预青少年和年轻人的便利工具。这个系统的回顾旨在分析和综合数字工具在社会工作中的使用。根据PRISMA 2020协议进行了系统评价，并在Web of Science、Scopus和PsycINFO中进行了检索。最初，我们确定了2720项研究，在应用预定义的纳入和排除标准后，有23篇文章符合纳入本综述的所有要求。结果分为四类：a)获得和参与社会服务，b)研究和诊断，c)干预和社会支持，d)评估数字社会工作。研究结果表明，信息通信技术提高了可及性，促进了参与，增强了个人自主性，并促进了专业陪伴。信息通信技术通过改善获得社会服务的机会、确定需求和风险以及支持青少年向成年过渡，改变了青少年社会工作。数字平台和社交媒体通过创造安全、匿名和参与性的空间，扩大沟通，促进自主，支持社会劳动融合，促进社会心理健康。然而，持续存在的数字鸿沟和与隐私、不平等和数据保护相关的道德风险需要关键的、包容的和道德上负责任的战略。该综述的结论是，未来的数字社会工作干预措施必须让年轻人、专业人士和机构积极参与技术工具的设计、获取、评估和适应，以推动数字时代更具包容性、参与性和变革性的实践。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal SOCIAL WORK-

CiteScore

3.90

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal (CASW) features original articles that focus on social work practice with children, adolescents, and their families. Topics include issues affecting a variety of specific populations in special settings. CASW welcomes a range of scholarly contributions focused on children and adolescents, including theoretical papers, narrative case studies, historical analyses, traditional reviews of the literature, descriptive studies, single-system research designs, correlational investigations, methodological works, pre-experimental, quasi-experimental and experimental evaluations, meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Manuscripts involving qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods are welcome to be submitted, as are papers grounded in one or more theoretical orientations, or those that are not based on any formal theory. CASW values different disciplines and interdisciplinary work that informs social work practice and policy. Authors from public health, nursing, psychology, sociology, and other disciplines are encouraged to submit manuscripts. All manuscripts should include specific implications for social work policy and practice with children and adolescents. Appropriate fields of practice include interpersonal practice, small groups, families, organizations, communities, policy practice, nationally-oriented work, and international studies. Authors considering publication in CASW should review the following editorial: Schelbe, L., & Thyer, B. A. (2019). Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal Editorial Policy: Guidelines for Authors. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 36, 75-80.