South African social workers’ knowledge and skills in addressing problematic internet use : implications for practice and training

Abstract

Constant and obsessive internet use (more than 40 hours per week for purposes other than work) may lead to a hidden form of addiction, namely Problematic Internet Use (PIU). The extant literature revealed no evidence of any research on the African continent focusing on social workers’ knowledge and skills required in addressing PIU. Underpinned by the ecosystem perspective, this study aimed to explore and describe South African social workers’ knowledge and skills in addressing PIU. A qualitative research approach operationalised through a case study, specifically an instrumental case study design focused on the social issue/addiction PIU, was implemented. Fifteen social workers employed by private and public treatment centres in Gauteng, South Africa, participated in the study. Data was gathered through five semi-structured face-to-face interviews and ten asynchronous e-mail interviews. Through a process of reflexive thematic analysis, four themes were generated, i.e., conceptualisation of PIU, social workers’ responsibility in working with people presenting with PIU, social workers’ exposure to PIU in social work practice at treatment centres, and social workers’ recommendations for policy on addressing PIU in the South African social service delivery system. Context-specific recommendations for micro, meso, exo and macro practice are forwarded. Implications for social work training are also highlighted.