Digital technologies in social work: an umbrella review
Article / Journal
Author(s) / editor(s):
Anne Wullum Aasback
,
Ida Bruheim-Escobar
,
and Minela Kvakic
Year: 2026
Language(s): English
Abstract:
The paper synthesises 24 systematic reviews (2014–2025) on digital technologies in social work across domains such as child welfare, mental health, migration and elderly care. It shows that most reviews frame technology in terms of benefits versus challenges, foregrounding practitioners’ views while largely neglecting clients’ experiences. Digital tools are found to improve access, communication and efficiency, yet issues of poor system design, ethics, digital inequality and practitioner fatigue persist. The review also notes a lack of robust theoretical engagement with technology and calls for research that moves beyond simple binary framings, includes service‑user perspectives and applies richer sociotechnical concepts.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2026.2621288
Post created by: Virginia Signorini