Ethical reflections on the use of images and names of child youtubers in scientific research

Abstract

This article proposes a reflection on the ethical challenges involved in identifying child YouTubers within the context of scientific research, highlighting the dilemmas and adjustments that arose during the analysis of the videos. We begin with the understanding that research ethics is constructed contextually, through concrete and often unexpected interactions, and we discuss the balance between the protection and participation of children. The central ethical question — whether child YouTubers, already publicly identified on YouTube, should have their images and names disclosed in research texts — was addressed by deciding to preserve their identities. This choice reflects an ethical approach that goes beyond mere formal compliance with regulations, built upon epistemological vigilance and a dialogue between our theoretical and methodological foundations. We considered that the analyzed videos were created for purposes different from those of the research and that we did not have the legal guardians' consent or the children's assent. Beyond the dynamics of YouTube, which often complicate parental mediation, the full understanding of online data processing, and the possibility of oversharing. This underscores the ethical challenges permeating this field of investigation.