Social Dilemmas

Chapter 8 addresses the use of technology and social media tools to solve social dilemmas. Given my field, the title caught my eye, especially the section entitled, "Self Help We Don't Approve Of." It goes on to described an online bulletin board set up by a teen magazine to talk about subjects important to teen girls. Eventually the magazine shut down the bulletin board because a group of girls were swapping tips on being anorexic. Although the bulletin board was successful and useful to many girls who posted, they couldn't figure out how to "control" the discussions by the pro-anoxeria girls without looking like bullies.

The author noted that it is easier for groups to form online without social approval than in mainstream society. In the past, finding people who were interested in the same things as you, especially if the interests were considered "anti-social, was difficult. To find information or people interested in a narrow, and possibly unacceptable topic, now is as easy as a Google search. For the self-help movement and professional counseling, the web and social media tools pose interesting ethical dilemmas. Online counseling and coaching make resources available to individuals anywhere with an internet hookup, at a lower transaction cost.

But it raises questions about a client's understanding, lack of ability to read body language, confidentiality, etc. I think the helping professions have not even begun to address these ethical questions and have frowned upon even considering them.

Yet groups that have ill will intentions, such as terrorist networks or identity thieves, are making great use of technology. Just because we disapprove as a society doesn't mean they won't form or will disband. So what is the answer to these social dilemmas? Who will step up and be the gatekeepers for organizing online? Who has the power to make those type of judgements? The definition of freedom will be reshaped and defined in light of social media in the near future. Since large group consensus is nearly impossible, whoever makes those decisions will hold trememdous power at their fingertips.