FRICTION

As young people gain access to smartphones earlier than ever, navigating online friendships, social media, and digital safety is a growing challenge. But how can we open up these conversations in a way that truly engages both young people and their families?

Little Fish Theatre’s new Year 6 touring production, FRICTION, brings these challenges to life in an engaging and accessible way.

Building on the success of Safe & Sound, FRICTION is a 45-minute interactive theatre piece designed for 9-11 years, followed by a 30-minute workshop where young people and, if possible, their parents/carers can explore issues together.

Through relatable characters and real-life scenarios, FRICTION supports the Key Stage 2 PSHE curriculum, helping schools meet statutory guidance on:

📱 Online relationships – understanding the benefits and risks of digital communication
⚠️ Keeping safe – recognising harmful behaviour, online grooming, and ways to seek help
🔍 Media literacy – identifying misinformation and understanding digital influence
🛑 Respectful relationships – tackling peer pressure, consent, and safe online interactions

Friction supports youth centres, theatres, and community organisations in delivering essential safeguarding education in an accessible and engaging format. It aligns with national priorities around digital resilience and online harm prevention, offering an interactive learning experience that complements safeguarding initiatives, PSHE programmes, and youth outreach work.

Empower young people and their families to make safer choices online.

There is support out there: If you’re being harassed and you feel you’re in danger, you can contact the police on 111. We also encourage you to talk to a trusted adult. If you are worried about a young person being groomed, report it to Child Exploitation and Online Protection – www.ceop.police.uk. In an emergency always call 999.

Childline – A free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything – childline.org.uk

Talk to FRANK – Honest information about drugs – talktofrank.com
Oxleas NHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – oxleas.nhs.uk/camhs/
Her Centre – Supporting young people in healthy relationships – hercentre.org
Deborah Ubee Trust – Counselling services for young people – thedeborahubeetrust.org.uk

Internet Watch Foundation – Report explicit images or videos shared without consent – iwf.org.uk 

YoungMinds –  Youth support for those struggling with their mental health – youngminds.org.uk

Kooth – Free, anonymous mental health and emotional support for young people – kooth.com

For more information please email info@littlefishtheatre.co.uk