Digital Means of Surveillance of Social Workers

The thesis examines the use of digital tools in the work of social workers in social prevention services and their potential role as instruments of surveillance. Digitalization, which has significantly transformed the practice of social work in recent years, offers new opportunities for more efficient service delivery while simultaneously raising questions of privacy, ethics, and control. The theoretical framework draws on the concept of New Public Management (NPM), which emphasizes efficiency and performance measurement, and on the concept of digital surveillance of employees. Both perspectives are situated within the context of social work and its professional values. The aim of the research was to analyze the experiences of social workers with the implementation of digital tools and to explore whether and how these technologies are perceived as mechanisms of control over their professional activities. The research employed a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews with social workers in social prevention services, selected purposefully based on their direct experience with digital technologies. The findings indicate that digital tools have become a common part of the work environment. They contribute to greater efficiency and improved service quality, yet they may also perform...