Those of you who are of a certain age might remember Konnie Huq from legendary BBC children's show Blue Peter. Since then, she has enjoyed a busy career as a presenter, writer and actor. Her most recent project, however, tackles an issue which concerns many parents and teachers: internet safety.
Huq has written three new plays, designed for children and young adults, that focus on this key issue. The plays, known collectively as Plusnet Plays on the Internet, are a concept fostered by the internet provider Plusnet, and developed in partnership with Huq, Internet Matters (a non-profit organisation helping families keep their children safe online) and Chickenshed Theatre Company.
Tackling online issues
The aim of the project is to encourage exploration and discussion of the key issues that face young internet users today, in particular: cyberbullying, online grooming and online reputation. With the three plays each adopting one of these ideas as their focus, they hope to give parents and teachers the chance to broach these difficult topics with the young people in their lives. Covering a range of ages, each play is written with a particular bracket in mind, with Never Trust an Alien aimed at 8-11 year olds and Say What You Mean, and mean what you say imagined for ages 14+.
Huq explains why writing these scripts felt particularly important to her: ‘As a mother and someone who has grown up with technology, I know how challenging it can be to stay aware of and support your child's online activity. Hopefully these stories will act as a starting point for parents and children to discuss online safety together in a non-threatening and fun way.’
Huq has most recently been involved in co-writing some of the successful Black Mirror television series with her husband Charlie Brooker – an experience that has influenced the style of these plays. Speaking about the third script, Say what you mean, and mean what you say, Huq suggests it ‘almost has Black Mirror connotations’.
Youth engagement
Chickenshed are well-known for specialising in pioneering and inclusive theatre for all ages, but especially for their great work with children and young people, so this project seems a natural choice for them.
The plays were developed by members of their youth theatre and staff, using the stories written by Huq – an element of the project about which Paul Morrall, Director of Education and Outreach, is particularly enthusiastic: ‘The fact that we were proudly asking young people and children to devise and represent the issue themselves…made all project partners and Konnie Huq go the extra mile to make sure we were creating a project which was going to inspire, educate, entertain. It was also so important to give young people the tools and communication to be safe – as well as giving professionals and parents/carers – the perspectives of young people so they too could help their young people to be safe.’
From the stage to the classroom
As well as workshopping the plays in April 2019, Chickenshed were commissioned to create supporting materials. A PDF for each of the three plays is available to download online, containing the full script and various supporting materials, including workshop ideas from Chickenshed. As Susan Jamson, the company's Press and PR Manager summed up: ‘We are very proud of it and feel that it will make a difference in this ever-changing world of the internet.’
Synopses of the three plays Never Trust an Alien: A story about online grooming for 8–11 year olds. It's the year 2090 and space travel is the new way of life, with many missions in progress to discover life away from Earth. While the minds of the population might be on other planets, the risks of talking to strangers online can be much closer to home.The Ghosts of the Internet: A story about cyberbullying for 11–14 year olds. In 2029, the use of technology is at an all-time high and social media usage is constant. But the most influential people on social media are not always those with the best intentions, and one pupil at the E-cademy risks using her power in the wrong way. All is set to change following a visit from three ghosts…Say what you mean, and mean what you say: A story about online reputation for 14+ olds. A pair of lifelong friends receive their first mobile phones on their birthday. With their lives fully documented online, how will their digital decisions affect their future, and will they use the internet for good?For Full scripts and workshop ideas visit: https://newsroom.plus.net/plusnet-plays-on-the-internet / Alternatively see www.internetmatters.org or www.chickenshed.org.uk for more information.