Digitalization has become an important part of our everyday lives. Technology affects how we communicate, work, learn and use different services. The development of information and communication technology has changed many fields, including social and healthcare services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I work in child welfare and residential care, where digitalization is already visible in everyday work. At the same time, I am studying for a Master\u2019s degree in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Work Development at Savonia University of Applied Sciences. During my studies, I have become interested in how digital solutions and new technologies can support professionals and improve clients\u2019 wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My interest in digitalization has also grown through my master\u2019s thesis, which focused on virtual reality and haptic technology in mental health work<\/strong>. In my thesis, I explored how immersive technologies can be used in mental health services and what kind of possibilities they may offer in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In child welfare and social services, digitalization can be seen in many different areas. Professionals use digital systems for documentation, communication and information sharing. Digital tools have made many processes faster and easier, but they have also changed the way professionals work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my opinion, the most important aspect of digitalization is not the technology itself, but how it can support people and improve services. In social care, technology should make everyday work easier and create new ways to support clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During my career, I have had opportunities to participate in developing digital solutions. While working in child welfare, I developed QR-code-based digital room folders for young people. The purpose of this development was to make important information easier to access and support young people\u2019s everyday life in residential care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have also gained experience in online youth work through the Sekasin Gaming community. The work was based on supporting young people through a digital environment and providing guidance when needed. This experience showed me that digital environments can also be meaningful places for interaction, support and low-threshold help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, I think it is important to remember that technology cannot replace human interaction. Especially in child welfare and mental health work, trust, empathy and professional presence are essential. Digital solutions should support professionals, not replace them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I believe digitalization will have an even greater role in social and healthcare services in the future. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality and other emerging technologies can create new opportunities for both professionals and clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Virtual reality is one example of a technology that has interesting possibilities in mental health work. Based on research, VR can be used for example in anxiety treatment, rehabilitation, stress reduction and different training situations. Virtual environments can provide safe situations where people can practice skills and face challenging situations in a controlled way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Haptic technology can bring digital experiences even closer to real-life experiences by adding physical feedback and a sense of touch. My master\u2019s thesis showed that research on haptic technology in mental health work is still developing, but early results are promising. In the future, combining virtual reality and haptic technology could create new possibilities for therapy, rehabilitation and professional education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, professionals could use virtual environments to practice difficult situations before facing them in real working life. Clients could also use digital environments to practice emotional regulation, social skills or coping methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though digitalization brings many benefits, it also creates challenges. One of the biggest concerns is data protection and information security. Social and healthcare services process sensitive personal information, which means that information must be handled carefully and responsibly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The European Union\u2019s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has had a significant impact on how organizations collect, store and process personal data. In my own work environment, GDPR affects everyday practices related to client documentation and information sharing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One positive effect of GDPR is that it has increased awareness of privacy and the importance of protecting personal information. Clients have more rights regarding their own data, and organizations must be more transparent about how information is used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, data protection requirements also create challenges. Professionals need sufficient knowledge and training to use digital systems correctly. In social care, documentation is already an important part of work, and digital systems have increased the need for careful information management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another challenge of an open digital society is equality. Not everyone has the same digital skills or access to technology. When developing digital services, it is important to ensure that they are accessible to different groups of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During this course, I explored the possibilities of artificial intelligence by using ChatGPT. I asked questions related to my own field, such as digitalization in social services, mental health work and future technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The answers provided by artificial intelligence were clear, structured and useful. AI was able to create ideas, explain concepts and summarize information quickly. I think AI can be a valuable tool for learning, developing ideas and supporting professional work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, artificial intelligence also has limitations. AI does not have personal experiences, emotions or professional responsibility. In child welfare and mental health work, human understanding and ethical decision-making are still essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AI-generated information should also always be evaluated critically. Artificial intelligence can sometimes provide incomplete or incorrect information, which means that important information should be checked from reliable sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I believe artificial intelligence has great potential in the future. It can support professionals by reducing routine work, helping with information searching and creating new solutions. At the same time, AI must be developed and used responsibly, considering privacy, ethics and equality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Digitalization will continue to change working life in the future. Professionals will need not only knowledge from their own field but also digital skills. Understanding technology and knowing how to use it responsibly will become an increasingly important part of professional competence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In social and healthcare services, the challenge will be finding the right balance between technology and human interaction. Digital solutions can improve accessibility and efficiency, but people still need genuine encounters and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I believe the best digital solutions are created together with professionals and clients. Practical experience from working life is important when developing new technologies and services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During this course, I have learned more about the opportunities and challenges of digitalization. The course has increased my understanding of how technology affects different fields and how digital solutions can support my own work environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have learned that digitalization is not only about new devices or systems. It is also about developing new ways of working and thinking. Technology can support professionals, but the most important factor is still the human being behind the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the future, I would like to learn more about artificial intelligence, digital service development and the ethical use of new technologies in social and healthcare services. My own interest in virtual reality and haptic technology has shown me that digital solutions can create completely new possibilities for supporting mental health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Digitalization will continue to develop, and professionals need to be ready to adapt to these changes while keeping people and their wellbeing at the centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n European Commission. (2023). Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030.<\/em> https:\/\/digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu\/en\/policies\/digital-decade-policy-programme<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n European Union. (2016). Regulation (EU) 2016\/679 \u2013 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).<\/em> https:\/\/gdpr.eu\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n World Health Organization. (2023). Digital health.<\/em> https:\/\/www.who.int\/health-topics\/digital-health#tab=tab_1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n World Health Organization. (2021). Ethics and governance of artificial intelligence for health.<\/em> https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/i\/item\/9789240029200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pulkkinen, R. (2026). Virtual Reality and Haptic Technology in Mental Health Work.<\/em> Master\u2019s thesis. Savonia University of Applied Sciences. https:\/\/urn.fi\/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2026052918843<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Blogs commented by me:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDigitalization in my own field of expertise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Future possibilities of digitalization<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Challenges and risks of an open digital society<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Artificial intelligence and ChatGPT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How digitalization will change the future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Self-evaluation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n