Child participation in the digital era: Perspectives of children, mothers, and teachers on photographing and photo-sharing in preschool classrooms

In the current digital era, the taking and disseminating of photographs and videos of children has become a prevalent practice. The purpose of this study is to provide insight into the perspectives of preschool children, their mothers, and teachers regarding the photographing and sharing of children’s photos. Twelve 5-year-old children, their mothers (12), and their teachers (12) in northwestern parts of Turkey were taken into consideration in this study. Data were analyzed through descriptive analysis. The findings reveal that mothers and teachers believed children had limited awareness about being photographed and having their images shared due to their young age, and they underlined that they did not consider it necessary to obtain permission from children. However, children’s statements about being photographed and having their photos shared showed that, contrary to what adults thought, they were aware of this issue and were concerned about the negative consequences they might face if their photos were shared. The findings emphasize children’s need for child-centered practices in preschool classrooms and reveal the ways in which adults’ perspectives on this matter run counter to child-centered practices.