At Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong, we see the arts and PSHE as powerful partners in helping pupils grow into confident, compassionate, and self-aware young people — especially during the pivotal Years 6–8, when identities are forming, friendships are shifting, and online influences begin to feel louder and more personal. Creative experiences in Drama give students a safe space to explore emotion, voice, and story, while PSHE equips them to navigate real-world challenges such as digital identity, peer pressure, and wellbeing in an always-connected world. 

Last week, our Year 6–8 pupils brought these strands together during a visit to Freespace at the West Kowloon Cultural District to watch Likes & Lies, a new youth musical by the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation (HKYAF). Through an energetic, relatable performance shaped by the realities of social media and self-image, the production offered our pupils not only an inspiring artistic experience, but also a timely opportunity to reflect on authenticity, relationships, and confidence — both onstage and online. 

A Performance That Sparked Reflection and Conversation 

Likes & Lies explored the experiences of young people living in a digital world, following characters who navigate friendship, identity, and self-image in an online landscape shaped by likes, filters, and expectations. Through lively musical numbers and honest storytelling, the production examined how social media can blur the line between authenticity and performance. It invited pupils to consider how online interactions influence the way they see themselves and the choices they make. 

The performance also wove in real statistics about mobile phone use and the psychological impact of social media, grounding the narrative in issues pupils recognise from their own daily lives. Many students shared that the story prompted them to think more deeply about their digital habits and the pressures of maintaining an online presence.