What exactly is your teenager doing on the computer? Who are they talking to? These are two questions that many parents are asking in this internet-dominated era. Chatroom looks at the impact that modern society and the internet can have on today’s adolescents. More particularly, it looks at whether the web is the best place to turn to when issues arise and whether the internet’s anonymity desensitises the user to what they are actually doing.
Chatroom deals with some very difficult and sensitive subjects and for the most part carries it off with aplomb. The acting is engaging and the dialogue sharp, but what is most important is that it feels natural. This is key because the underlying message is allowed to develop through the characters’ actions; it draws the audience in and creates a charged atmosphere. However, what really makes the performance are the sections that look at the sinister gang mentality that can be prevalent in adolescent life. It is during these moments that the cast as a whole seem to grow into their characters creating moments that are truly unnerving.
Whilst Chatroom is not always comfortable viewing, there is no denying both the talent on show and the quality of production. The show shouldn’t be comfortable viewing as it takes on and deals with some difficult issues in youth culture that are not always put to forefront of society in a delicate and considerate tone, and for that it should be commended.
