This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Social media, music, religion-focused apps and other online spiritual content have become popular ways for adolescents to find comfort and connection—and explore ideas related to faith, religion and spirituality, according to a new report from the Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA (CSS). However, they still prioritize in-person spaces such as churches, mosques or synagogues in their faith practice and turn to family and faith leaders for spiritual and religious guidance.
The findings come from the first Future of Faith study from CSS, a nonprofit organization founded by Yalda T. Uhls, an adjunct professor in UCLA's department of psychology. The study aims to bridge the gap between psychology research and content creators to inform and drive the development of media that helps young people thrive.
"Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining what religion and spirituality look like in the digital age, and they have an appetite for authentic content that reflects and amplifies their beliefs and practices," said Uhls, the study's senior author. "There is a real opportunity for media creators to step up and develop content that will spark curiosity, foster connection and open new pathways for young people to explore their faith in a safe environment." For its latest report, CSS surveyed more than 2,000 young people ages 16 to 24 and conducted focus groups with nearly 100 adolescents and young adults ages 14 to 24 to examine how they use media—including music, social media, online videos, television shows and movies—to engage with and express their religious and spiritual beliefs, belonging and identity. Participants' faiths included evangelical Christian, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Latter-day Saint, Sikh, mainline Protestant, Hindu and Buddhist, as well as agnostic, atheist and spiritual nonreligious.
More than 97% of religious respondents and 80% of nonreligious respondents said they had been spiritually moved, inspired or comforted by a piece of online content. Online content also plays an important role in fostering exploration: 67% of religious respondents and 78% of nonreligious respondents said it has helped them discover new spiritual or religious ideas and practices. Nearly 7 in 10 religious respondents (68%) reported connecting with friends or peers online through spiritual or religious content.
Still, more than 60% of religious young people said their practice remains rooted in traditional spaces or that they combine traditional practice with media use. They also ranked people they know in person, such as faith community leaders and parents or caregivers, as their most trusted sources for understanding their faith, followed by other family members and religious peers. Sara Schnitker, professor of psychology and associate vice provost of interdisciplinary initiatives at Baylor University, and Rebekah Richert, professor of psychology at UC Riverside, served as advisers on the study.
According to the findings, religious and spiritual representations across online and social media platforms, as well as on TV and in film, have a significant impact on young people's sense of safety, belonging and how they are treated by others. Seventy percent of religious respondents said media portrayals of their religion or spirituality influence how others treat them. Less than half of respondents (about 40%) in nearly every religious and nonreligious group felt that representations of their faith or beliefs were accurate.
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