Beyond passive audiences: children’s agency in media literacy research

Abstract

One of the most salient contemporary debates in media research concerns the role of child audiences. The enduring legacy of media-centric approaches has contributed to the construction of childhood as marginalized or invisible, frequently framing young audiences as passive recipients (mere vessels or sponges). This perspective has often eclipsed essential questions such as: What do children do with the media and information they consume? What meanings and interpretations do they construct from content that is frequently presumed to “affect” them? (Buckingham, 2013; Kellner & Share, 2007; Livingstone, 2004). This paper analyzes the opportunities and challenges of conducting fieldwork with children, framed by the principles of the sociology of childhood. The study highlights key indicators that underscore the relevance of this perspective in our research and critically reflect on the practical limitations encountered in studying young audiences.