Electronic Communication and Ethics (Eye on Ethics Series-Course One)

1 CE Hour
2,197 members have taken this course
Skip to Course Registration Info

This course has been retired. We regularly update our course catalog to ensure relevance.

About the Course

The Eye on Ethics Series, created by Social Work Today magazine, is written by the highly respected Fredric Reamer, Ph.D. Course One includes the following brief ethics articles:

Developing a Social Media Ethics Policy

Novel Boundary Challenges: Social Networking

The Challenge of Electronic Communication

The Expanding Use of Computer-Based Services in Clinical Social Work

In this course, the author reviews ethical challenges that present themselves in the new age of electronic communication, email, text messaging, computer-based services, and social media. Safeguards and ethical guidelines are discussed.

This course is based on the reading online article, Electronic Communication and Ethics (Eye on Ethics Series-Course One) created by Frederic G. Reamer, PhD in 2011.

Publication Details

Publication Date: 2008-2011

Course Material Author

Frederic G. Reamer, PhD

Frederic G. Reamer, PhD, is a professor in the graduate program of the School of Social Work, Rhode Island College. He is the author of many books and articles, and his research has addressed mental health, healthcare, criminal justice, and professional ethics.

Frederic G. Reamer, PhD authored the material only, and was not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.

Course Creator

Keith Gibson, Ph.D.

Dr. Gibson is a Clinical Psychologist with over 30 years in research, clinical and consulting practice. He has also held leadership roles in research administration and program evaluation and more recently has specialized in program evaluation and system analysis. He draws upon his years of expertise as a practicing psychologist, administrator, researcher and technologist to help universities evaluate their programs to implement, meet, and maintain CACREP standards.

Target Audience

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially psychologists, counselors, and social workers who seek knowledge about ethics in the age of electronic communication, use of social media and computer-based services. It is appropriate for all levels of participants' knowledge.

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Review ethical challenges presented by the use of social media, computer-based services, and electronic communication.
  2. 2 Describe potential risks to clients and the therapeutic relationship in such ethical breaches.
  3. 3 Present ways to safeguard against ethical breaches when employing the use of social media, computer-based services, and electronic communication.

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Material Authors

Any relevant financial disclosures for course material authors can be found in the article.

Course Creator

Keith Gibson, Ph.D. – There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

Use our CE Approvals tool to look up your state requirements and how can help you meet them, or log in to your member account to show approvals relevant to your licensure.

NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)

1 CE credit hour
Eligible until Sep 30th, 2028
This course has been approved by CE Learning Systems, service provider of Impact CE, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #192243, CE Learning Systems is responsible for all aspects of their programming.
More Info

Florida Certification Board (FCB)

1 CE credit hour
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2027
Impact CE, a service of CE learning Systems, is approved by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) to offer continuing education programs (Provider # 5069A).
More Info

Missouri Credentialing Board (MCB)

1 CE credit hour
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2026
AddictionCounselorCE is an approved provider of the Missouri Substance Abuse Professional Credentialing Board (Provider #101). AddictionCounselorCE maintains responsibility for this course and its contents.
More Info

New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)

1 CE credit hour CE Broker logo 20-804

CASAC

Renewal: Yes

CPS, CPP

Section: Section 3
Renewal: Yes
Initial: Yes
Eligible until Feb 27th, 2028
More Info

New York Education Department Board of Social Work

1 contact hour
Eligible until Mar 30th, 2027
CE Learning Systems, LLC, (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. Provider #0060.
More Info

Virginia Certification Board (VCB)

1 CE credit hour
Eligible until Dec 31st, 2035
Virginia Certification Board educational provider # 106
More Info
Course Materials

The Expanding Use of Computer-Based Services in Clinical Social Work

Click on the link above to access course materials.

  • The Expanding Use of Computer-Based Services in Clinical Social Work
  • The Challenge of Electronic Communication

    Click on the link above to access course materials.

  • Novel Boundary Challenges: Social Networking

    Click on the link above to access course materials.

  • Developing a Social Media Ethics Policy

    Click on the link above to access course materials.

Exam Questions

All exam questions for the course are visible on this page for members of Impact CE.

Membership is free, and you can register today! You'll only pay when you're ready to purchase a course, or if you take advantage of the Unlimited Package.

If you're already a member, please sign in to see the exam questions for this and all other courses.

Discuss this course

You can share your thoughts about this course after you pass the exam.

Sign In or Register to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most likely. Look Up Your State Board for more detailed information. Logged-in site members will see the relevant approval information displayed in the Approvals tab for every course.

If you are having trouble using Impact CE, please contact us! We would be happy to accommodate your needs right away, and your input will help us make Impact CE more accessible for future users too.

Use the Enroll In This Course button and just follow the instructions! You don't pay anything until you're ready to take an exam.

To complete the course, review the course objectives, then review the material, and then pass the exam with a score of 75% or greater and lastly complete an evaluation.

Most of our self-paced courses are based on online articles available for free to the public. Some courses, such as those based on books, require that you purchase the material. Use the Materials tab for more info. Live courses simply require that you attend.

Your certificate(s) will be available to download or email immediately when you pass the course exam and complete the evaluation.

Yes! Use the Help widget at the bottom-right of the screen anywhere on Impact CE to search our help docs, or to ask our support team for help. Unlike most of our competitors, Impact CE has live US-based support reps to help you by email, chat, or phone.

Start your CE Journey now - complete your first course today, on us.

Try for free - no commitment required.

Copyright © 2026 CE Learning Systems LLC

Please Confirm