Performance Over Pedagogy: The Psychosocial Price of Child Influencing
Öz
This study investigates the profound implications of the child influencer phenomenon for educational systems and student development. Framed by Goffman's dramaturgical theory and Postman's ‘disappearance of childhood’ thesis, this research explores how the commodification of children online can undermine core educational values and developmental processes. It addresses the gap in the academic literature by examining the phenomenon of child influencers to explore issues of digital child labor and exploitation and to propose concrete interventions for the profound psychosocial harm they cause. Conducting scenario-based interviews with twenty-two stakeholders, parents, teachers, and experts, the research aimed to explore the commodification of childhood, effects on self-perception, social relationships, and critical threats to the schooling process and educational outcomes. According to stakeholder perceptions, child influencers are viewed as experiencing significant role conflict between their curated online personas and real-life identities, leading to identity fragmentation, emotional volatility, and a dependency on external validation. Furthermore, their intense involvement in content production disrupts academic performance, erodes genuine peer relationships, and fosters social isolation and anxiety. Centrally, this research underlines the need for a legal framework that enshrines a child's right to an educative environment where their cognitive and psychological development is prioritized over commercial objectives.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Destekleyen Kurum
Etik Beyan
Kaynakça
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Ayrıntılar
Birincil Dil
İngilizce
Konular
Rehberlik ve Psikolojik Danışmanlık (Diğer), Eğitimin Felsefi ve Sosyal Temelleri, Çocuk Gelişimi Eğitimi, Eğitim Politikası, Eğitim Teknolojisi ve Bilgi İşlem
Bölüm
Araştırma Makalesi
Yazarlar
Yayımlanma Tarihi
7 Mart 2026
Gönderilme Tarihi
18 Kasım 2025
Kabul Tarihi
24 Ocak 2026
Yayımlandığı Sayı
Yıl 2026 Cilt: 28 Sayı: 2026