Digital participation and technology in social work

This chapter explores how digital platforms are reshaping advocacy and participatory practices for children and families in the context of child and family social work. Drawing on recent empirical research and examples of digital innovation, it examines the potential of digital tools to enhance communication, increase access to information, and empower children and families to participate more actively in decisions affecting their lives. It critically considers the risks and limitations of digital platforms, including issues of digital exclusion, data privacy and the need for ethical, inclusive design. Key themes include the role of co-production in platform development, the challenges of translating participation into digital spaces, and the balance between innovation and safeguarding. The chapter also highlights how practitioners and organisations can develop digital literacy and infrastructure to support meaningful participation. By situating digital participation within broader socio-technical and policy contexts, it contributes to ongoing debates about technology’s role in social care and the future of participatory practice.