Students Praise Online Safety Play

Schoolchildren across Jersey have praised a theatre production designed to highlight the importance of staying safe online.

The Net play, delivered by NSPCC Jersey in partnership with Deep Dive Productions Limited, has toured 28 primary schools this term, reaching hundreds of Year 6 pupils.

The story centres on a popular girl who begins sharing age-inappropriate images on social media, sparking discussions among children about the real risks they may face in digital spaces.

At Les Landes Primary School, pupils said the performance gave them valuable lessons about the internet and the importance of talking to trusted adults.

Ten-year-old Ava said: “I think it’s really important for children to know about online safety so that it doesn’t happen to them.”

Classmate Bertie added that he was reminded to “always be safe online and chat with your parents,” while Bella said the show made her decide not to sign up for social media until she was older: “I don’t really want it right now anyway, because I’m just a kid.”

The play’s cast included local actor Alex Rogerson, who portrayed Ryan, a confident teenager reluctant to discuss online dangers. He said many pupils recognised aspects of his character: “I think they kind of see a bit of Ryan that they can relate to. It also shows the children a clear message of what someone might look like when they’re just putting on an act.”

Les Landes head teacher Vicki Charlesworth praised the initiative, saying it encouraged her pupils to think critically about their own online habits.

“They could imagine themselves in that position, and that was a powerful message for them,” she said. “We teach them to cross the road safely, but we also need to teach them how to navigate the online world, because that is the world they’re living in.”

The NSPCC said it hopes the project will continue to support children across Jersey in building confidence and resilience in the digital age.