Abstract
Abstract : This study was aimed at identifying online ethical dilemmas that educational psychologists might come across when using Web 2.0 platforms and to recommend ways of managing these dilemmas. Web 2.0 platforms involve blog, wikis and social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and Instagram. Educational psychologists were selected based on experience within the field, some in private practice while others worked in schools. In this research a qualitative generic approach was taken, making use of an online questionnaire, to gain insight into existing online ethical dilemmas. The results and previous research showed that online ethical dilemmas that seemed to be the most common are confidentiality, informed consent, multiple relationships and soliciting testimonials. The idea of Googling a client and how to manage online ethical dilemmas also seemed to be a prominent aspect that arose. The findings of this research show that when dealing with online ethical dilemmas, educational psychologists tend to take the moral high ground by not violating human rights. It also showed how easily technology can breach an ethical code and how important an educational psychologist’s knowledge and training are in the field of ethics.
M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)