Serviço Social 4.0: desafios e oportunidades na sociedade da informação

Abstract

The rise of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has profoundly marked contemporary society, significantly influencing the field of Social Work. This dissertation investigates the relationship between Social Work and ICTs, highlighting the transformations driven by rapid technological expansion. Using a qualitative approach and integrative review, the study analyzes theses and dissertations from 2017 to 2023 to understand the current dynamics between Social Work and information technology. The objectives include mapping the conceptions of technology in Social Work, analyzing the interactions between ICTs and Social Work in the contemporary context, and investigating the contributions of ICTs to the profession. The research revealed a predominant critical perspective, which sees technology as a field of ideological and practical dispute, emphasizing its ambivalent nature as both a product and influencer of social and economic realities. An increasing integration of information technology with Social Work practices was observed, especially through platforms used in public policies, affecting work methods, communication, and information management. The contributions of information technology were recognized in areas such as Communication and Interaction, Data Management and Surveillance, Training, and Research. The analysis pointed to a variety of perspectives, from criticism of technology's role in capitalism to acknowledgment of its benefits. Therefore, it is concluded that the integration of technology in Social Work brings opportunities for innovation and ethical and practical challenges, requiring a critical approach to align its use with the ethical-political principles of the profession.