Shut up and smile: a study of the attitudes, experiences and practices of photographing and sharing images of children in Ireland

"The research questions for this study initially developed from my unique position as both a photographer and lecturer in the area of media and communications studies. An observable cultural shift had occurred in the quotidian practice of photographing children that aligned with a notable escalation of media focus on the dangers of the Internet. Following a comprehensive review of associated academic literature, online and offline media texts, blogs, and opinion pieces the cultural reframing of the practice as potentially inappropriate was confirmed. Furthermore, this framing extended beyond the practice of capturing the photographs and encompassed the practices of sharing, which had for the most part migrated online. Reflecting on this, the key questions the research seeks to investigate are: 1. What are the attitudes among adults in Ireland toward the everyday practice of photographing children? 2. What are the attitudes among adults in Ireland toward the practice of sharing images of children online? 3. What impact, if any, have these attitudes had on the related practices of adults in Ireland?"