‘I just didn’t think…’ Theatre project to tackle online safety

Monday 26 June 2017

Sexting, bullying, gaming and excessive social media use are all hot topics being explored in a new drama production that’s designed to challenge local school pupils’ views of what is acceptable online behaviour.

The Education Department commissioned Jersey production company Love Theatre in collaboration with Prison! Me! No Way!!! to create the unique play, based on comments from pupils in local schools, that tackles the most prevalent issues students are facing day by day.

The production, ‘I just didn’t think…’ looks at topical problems including sexting, gaming, self-broadcasts, bullying and effects of excessive phone use.

Love Theatre, led by former secondary school drama teacher Michelle Smith, conducted focus groups with students as part of the research for the production.

She said: “We went directly to young people in schools and our own drama groups and asked them what they’re experiencing. We were able to find out how they’re talking about these issues and that means our script is authentic. They’ll be able to recognise themselves in these situations and that’s the most powerful kind of learning.”

“The show focusses on lots of common mistakes and bad choices often made in regards to online safety, and the workshop deals with how we can change our behaviour to be safer online."

Two versions of the theatre piece have been created: one for children in Years 5 and 6 at primary school and another, more hard-hitting, for secondary students in Years 7 and 8.

Mel Pardoe, Education’s Head of Governance, said: “We wanted to target the transitional age when students are changing a great deal and are often facing some difficult situations. It’s vital we help them through this and equip them with the knowledge and understanding to make good decisions. The most effective way to achieve that is by making it humorous and entertaining because then it’s memorable.”

Education Minister Deputy Rod Bryans added his support for the production and said: “I welcome this creative approach to tackling these very important issues. It’s an excellent collaboration and I would like to thanks everyone involved in making this happen.”

The play designed for students in year 7 and 8 was previewed at Victoria College and dealt with issues of online bullying, sexting, gaming and problems that can arise when you become addicted to your phone.

Over the next two weeks the play will be delivered by young actors from Jersey. Once the scenarios are acted out, Prison! Me! No Way!!! Jersey will deliver a lesson on ‘choices and consequences’, engaging the audience with the actors, who will still be in character to answer questions and prompt a discussion. Students will be asked why the character behaved the way they did, what the law is and how they can keep safe.      

Lesley Harrison of PMNW said: “This is an exciting and innovative way of tackling some very serious topical issues. Combining the education elements with entertainment and following up with workshops really enables us to explore issues in depth. Students will be challenged to think about their behaviour and will have an opportunity to ask questions in a safe environment. The ultimate aim is to keep our young people informed and prepared to cope with tricky situations and to help them keep safe.”