Exploring researchers’ perspectives and experiences of digital childhoods research in schools

This paper explores issues surrounding children's participation in research relating to digital childhoods, with an emphasis on the process of obtaining ethics approvals and other necessary approvals from Australian education authorities (e.g. Departments of Education), along with associated issues and tensions. It will report on the patterns apparent in existing literature in terms of how much research is being undertaken in independent, government, or Catholic schools, as well as researchers' experiences working across Australian states and territories. In addition to presenting experiential data, the paper will raise tension points and provocations relating to the challenges faced by researchers and the implications of these for conducting research with children, as well as for children's rights, agency, and voice.