Page 27 - AASP Summer 2014 Newsletter

Tweeting and Competing: Ethical Considerations for Social

Media Use in Sport and Exercise Psychology

Amber M. Shipherd, Ph.D., CC-AASP, Eastern Illinois University, Michael Zito, Ph.D., CC-AASP, Montclair State University and Private Practice,

Edward Etzel, Ph.D., CC-AASP, West Virginia University, Brandonn Harris, Ph.D., CC-AASP, NCC, Georgia Southern University

Just as the ield of sport and exercise yet, these areas are beyond the scope

psychology grows at a rapid pace, the of this article.

use of technology by professionals and

students in our ield also continues
The Growing Use of Social Media
to expand. While commonly used

technology-based practices may not Rainie and Smith (2013) reported that

approximately 91% of Americans over
appear ‘risky business’, our ethics

code (see Standard 26) suggests that the age of 16 own a cell phone, with

they may present unique challenges roughly 55% owning smart phones that

to practitioners who incorporate permit nearly instantaneous access

technology into their services. Many to web-based information. Social

networking sites are some of the
Amber SHIPHERD
Michael ZITO
other voices inside and outside AASP
most frequently browsed sites on the
have discussed the complexities

from the use of the Internet, so- internet (Watson & Halbrook, 2014).

called ‘teletherapy’, and other forms Approximately 73% of online adults

of electronic professional practice report using social networking sites,

(Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2008; with Facebook as the dominant social

networking platform reported (Duggan &
Martin, 2010; Watson, Schinke, &
Smith, 2013). Websites provide a wealth
Sampson, 2014). Currently, many AASP

practitioners are incorporating the of information about professionals,

usage of social media into their services. programs, and research, with some

Therefore, it is essential that sport sites offering self-help information and

and exercise psychology practitioners interactive intervention.

and students be aware of the ethical

considerations of incorporating such Technology and Social Media in Sport
Brandonn HARRIS
Edward ETZEL
technology into their practice, teaching,
and Exercise Psychology
and/or research. There are also many

relevant legal issues associated with The most common uses of technology

technology use (i.e., interstate practice);
from sport and exercise psychology

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