Here's why:

* Friction is a force: It's a force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact. It acts to slow down or prevent movement.

* Speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving: It's a scalar quantity (meaning it only has magnitude) and is usually measured in meters per second (m/s).

Here's an analogy: Imagine you're pushing a heavy box across a floor.

* Friction: The force you feel resisting your push is friction. The rougher the floor, the greater the friction.

* Speed: How quickly the box moves across the floor is its speed.

In short: Friction is a force that affects an object's speed, but it's not the speed itself.