Welcome to the FoeFace Teachers’ Page
This page explains the purpose of FoeFace, how it works and what your involvement as a teacher would look like. The next FoeFace event will be held on Friday 14th June at John Keble Primary School, Harlesden.
Why FoeFace?
When young people first join social media, they begin a second, digital life - one where they are inevitably exposed to negative examples of human interaction and steered by algorithms toward participation in a harmful and often hostile culture. The well-documented adverse effects of social media on the mental and emotional health of young people are now widely acknowledged and deeply concerning. Yet, 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 does provide them with supported exposure to some of the experiences on social media in a way that will immunise them against some of the harmful effects, if they become active on it later.
FoeFace is run with schools and churches and is designed and delivered by artists and educators at Fer.
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”
How FoeFace Works
FoeFace participants are selected from a number of schools and come together for the one-day experience that involves a variety of workshops, games and other activities designed to develop their confidence and skills in engaging with those who think and value differently to them while taking care of their own well being and acting responsibly towards the wellbeing of others.
All students will meet at one of the participating schools and will be led through a series of creative activities both in groups and individually online via the FoeFace app, which provides them supported exposure to views and beliefs that are different from their own and guides them in how to listen with empathy and communicate respectfully.
The students will engage in online conversations that cover a range of political, cultural and ethical issues. They will be guided by the app's structured approach and supported by experienced educators from Fer. Throughout the day, students will also participate in games and other activities all designed to equip young people for online citizenship and to support them to become part of cohort of emerging young people who lead and role model a peaceful way of relating to others online. Lunch and refreshments will also be catered for the students.
Participants are given a ceramic tile, made by one of our artists, with the FoeFace logo to reflect on. The tile is designed to sit between a phone and the phone-case. In the negative space between the two facing ‘foes’ lies a table with a cross on it which will be used to reflect on Jesus’ teaching and practice of loving his enemies.
Time Commitment from School/Youth Group Staff:
We understand the importance of minimising the workload for school staff and youth leaders and so FoeFace has been designed to require minimal work from both. You will simply need to nominate one teacher to liaise with our FoeFace team. This would involve the following four tasks:
Select between 5-10 participants from your Year Six cohort (for primary schools) or Year Seven cohort (for secondary schools). Participants are not required to be active on social media, nor do they need to be the most academic individuals in their class/group. Instead, we recommend you identify those who exhibit a passion for exploring various topics and would likely stay motivated to engage in the conversations, regardless of how knowledgeable they are.
Obtain parent/guardian consent (we can provide you with a template opt-out consent form on request).
Register the young people on the FoeFace app - www.foeface.com - and ensure they complete the follow- up worldview questionnaire and a preliminary survey (that will then be sent to them via email)
Accompany your students on the FoeFace day
The project itself will be delivered by educators at Fer and food and refreshments will provided for teachers and students.
On Privacy and Data
To ensure a secure and inclusive experience, clear guidelines for engagement are in place, guaranteeing the protection of students' anonymity throughout. It's important to note that FoeFace is solely committed to supporting young people in learning how to engage peacefully online. Consequently, there will be no evaluation of the specific views expressed by participants, and such views will not be shared beyond the FoeFace moderators.
Personal data and records of conversations will be securely stored and accessible only to Fer charity employees. This information will not be shared with participants' schools or youth group leaders unless a safeguarding issue arises. Click on the links below to read our FAQs and our relevant policies.