FOEFACE
Ritual design for digital citizenship
(new rites of passage for new worlds)
When young people first join social media, they begin a second, digital life - one where they are inevitably exposed to poor examples of human interaction and steered by algorithms toward engagement in a hostile culture. The harmful effects of social media on the mental and emotional health of young people are now widely acknowledged and deeply concerning, but we have not established rites of passage or structured preparation to effectively equip them for this significant digital transition - all that is required of them is to enter some basic details and agree to the terms.
FoeFace is a digital citizenship project that responds to this by supporting and educating young people to become peacemaking influencers on social media. It does not encourage them to join social media, but — recognising the likelihood of it at some point – FoeFace provides them with supported exposure to some of the experiences on it in a way that will both immunise them against some of its harmful effects and equip them to join a positive cultural shift online.
FoeFace is run with schools and churches and is designed and delivered by artists and educators at Fer. Participating young people engage in an interactive exploration of Jesus' teachings (alternative algorithm), focusing on creative and counter-cultural responses to hurtful or toxic behaviors. They are given the opportunity to apply these principles in a supported social media simulation via the bespoke FoeFace app. In the app, they are placed into anonymous, mixed-worldview groups where they encounter peers with diverse perspectives and values. The FoeFace experience also features a range of activities and games, such as Social Media Sleuthing and Blind Texting Races. Alongside these, edible FoeFace-logo cupcakes and a reflective rite of passage ritual create a rich and immersive day, designed to prepare young people for responsible and life-giving digital citizenship.
For more details on how FoeFace works and to register your interest, click on the link below.
“There is growing evidence that social media makes young people – especially teenage girls – more anxious and depressed. The best approach – I believe – is for under 16s to stay off social media entirely. But I also really welcome FoeFace. This is a digital citizenship project that offers structured guidance and education, helping to prepare young people for what they might see online. The team behind it are great people and I’d recommend people to engage with what they are doing”
Participants are given a ceramic coin—handmade by one of our artists—with the FoeFace logo to reflect on. In the negative space between the two facing ‘foes’ lies a table with a cross on it. We use this image to reflect on Jesus’ teaching and example of love of enemies. The coin is designed to slot between a phone and phone case as an ongoing visual reminder of the creative possibilities that come from a posture of loving those who think and value differently from us.
FoeFace - because there is no ‘table before them’ if you’re not in the presence of your enemies [Psalm 23:5]
FoeFace has been made possible due to a generous gift from the Benefact Trust. We are hugely grateful to them for supporting this project.
