Social Media and 21st-Century Child and Youth Care Practice

Tipenga Arago,Jennifer Po,Simonne Massner,Dominique Mendiola,Kevin Sun,Tahany Dassouki,Sadia Ali,Gerard Bellefeuille

doi:10.22158/jetss.v1n1p12

Abstract

The exponential growth of online information and communication technologies such as texting and social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat have opened up new possibilities for child and youth care (CYC) practitioners to engage with children, youth, and families. Yet very little is known about the therapeutic use of these technologies as a direct CYC practice method. Hence, this qualitative, course-based research project aimed to explore the use of social media as a therapeutic practice by CYC students at MacEwan University. The Instagram social networking site was used to collect data. A thematic analysis identified four overarching themes: (a) a relationship, engagement, and communication building tool, (b) a source of support and information, (c) a creative space for self-expression, and (d) a safe place. The results of this course-based study indicate that CYC students use social media responsibly in their work with children, youth, and families. The use of social media appears to have a positive impact and beneficial use in CYC as long as it is utilized and maintained in a professional manner. More research into social media is, however, required to help CYC practitioners keep pace with information and communication technologies and become well-informed about their use and misuse.

Highlights

In today’s society, social media plays an important role in our lives, whether it serves to share personal information, functions as a professional networking tool, or used to communicates ideas
This qualitative, course-based research project aimed to explore the use of social media as a therapeutic practice by child and youth care (CYC) students at MacEwan University. 1.1 Undergraduate Course-Based Research The Bachelor of Child and Youth Care program at MacEwan University is continuously searching for new pedagogical approaches to foster criticality, reflectivity, and praxis as integral components of the overall student educational experience
It is no longer acceptable to ignore the role that social media plays in CYC practice

Summary

Introduction

In today’s society, social media plays an important role in our lives, whether it serves to share personal information, functions as a professional networking tool, or used to communicates ideas. As information and communication technologies continues to evolve and expand, the field of CYC must examine the use of these technologies and the use of social media within the realm of professional practice and ethical decision-making in order to remain relevant in the 21st Century. Very little is known about the therapeutic use of these technologies as a direct CYC practice method This qualitative, course-based research project aimed to explore the use of social media as a therapeutic practice by CYC students at MacEwan University. 1.1 Undergraduate Course-Based Research The Bachelor of Child and Youth Care program at MacEwan University is continuously searching for new pedagogical approaches to foster criticality, reflectivity, and praxis as integral components of the overall student educational experience. The results -based research can sometimes be published in peer-reviewed journals and online open-access portals and, contribute to the discipline’s knowledge base

Methods

Results

Conclusion