Georgina Byrne
‘I Need to Go to Wexford’, is a short experiential documentary that focuses on a simplistic but universal human instinct: the need to escape as a form of self-care. It follows my dear friend Laura as she moves between Dublin where life can feel claustrophobic and overwhelming to a place where she can take a breath, Wexford.
In this thesis, I explore how digital media has transformed the way pre-teens express themselves, shaping identity through visibility, performance, and social validation. Drawing on the theories of Marshall McLuhan, Erving Goffman, and The Social Media Reader, I examine how platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat influence the balance between authentic self-expression and curated online identities. Through survey research conducted with children aged 9–12 in Dublin, I investigate how social media encourages performative behaviours while offline creative activities continue to provide a stronger sense of authenticity and emotional comfort.
I argue that digital media has not replaced traditional forms of self-expression but instead has significantly altered the conditions under which identity is formed and presented. My findings highlight the emotional pressures connected to online visibility, the role of digital platforms in shaping memory, and the resilience of pre-teens as they navigate the self-expressed and the self-performed. Ultimately, this thesis offers a nuanced perspective on how pre-teens adapt to increasingly mediated environments while still seeking and in need for genuine creative, individual and self-discovering environments.
Georgina Byrne is an aspiring writer and creative director from Dublin whose work is inspired by a deep desire to continue telling stories rooted in the human experience. Drawn to themes of identity, emotion and connection, she approaches storytelling with intention, curiosity, and a strong appreciation for meaningful collaboration. Through her work, Georgina aims to capture feelings and moments that resonate authentically with audiences, creating stories that feel honest, emotionally grounded and deeply human.
