This content is part of Barna's State of the Church initiative, produced in partnership with Gloo. You can learn more about this initiative at stateofthechurch.com.

Church leaders face a unique challenge: helping families navigate a digital landscape that increasingly shapes not just how young people communicate, but how they form their identities, relationships and faith. Technology touches every aspect of modern teenage life, from education to spiritual formation, and many parents in U.S. congregations feel unprepared for these challenges.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has added another layer of complexity to this digital landscape. According to Barna's research, nearly three in four parents (72%) are concerned about AI's impact on children and teens. In a February 2024 survey, a third of U.S. parents (33%) strongly expressed concern about data privacy and security risks associated with their children using AI technology, while one in four (25%) worry it could negatively impact their children's ability to think independently.

To provide insight and practical guidance for church leaders working with parents and teens, we spoke with Felicia Song, a longtime researcher of mass media and digital technology. Song regularly speaks on parenting in the digital age and spiritual formation at churches, schools, parent groups and conferences, and she brings her academic expertise and personal experience to this conversation.

Q: What inspired your focus on digital technology's impact on relationships, and why should parents pay attention to this topic?

Felicia Song: I've been studying mass media and digital technology for a long time. I started on this path after college while teaching history at a small, private boarding school that highly valued community. It was 1995, the first year the school got email. What struck me was that when they introduced email, there was no collective conversation about what it might do to the community. I thought, "Email is wonderful and useful, but how will it affect us?" That sparked my interest in how technology shapes relationships, notions of community and our interactions.

Later, as I gave talks and conducted research, parents would ask, "What should I do? My kids are already immersed in technology, or I’m raising young ones—what’s your advice?" As a parent of a 19-year-old and a 14-year-old, I often say, "I'm in the trenches too. None of us have a roadmap." We're all pioneers raising kids in a world profoundly shaped by technology. These conversations inspired me to write a resource to help people navigate these challenges.

Q: Barna research finds that most young people agree their generation spends too much time on screens, yet 64 percent feel incomplete without their phones. What is it about technology that makes teens feel this way? And where can teens find belonging and connection outside of their devices?

Song: Today's technology isn't something we simply use and put away. It's embedded in how we do school, friendship, family, community and church. Technology is interwoven into identity formation and relationships. Teens feel incomplete without their phones because these devices are their primary tools for connection—staying in touch with friends, family and responsibilities.

However, there are ways to foster connection outside of screens. Activities like arts, music and outdoor sports encourage embodiment and skill development, taking time and effort rather than instant gratification. These activities connect teens with peers, coaches and teachers in meaningful ways. Shifting focus to such activities can offset the constant pull of the digital world.

Q: Why is social media so addictive for teens?

Song: Social media is designed to be addictive. These platforms hire behavioral psychologists and experts to craft experiences that stimulate and engage us. One method is variable reinforcement, where platforms alternate between showing content we love and less engaging posts, keeping us scrolling in search of the "reward."

This constant stimulation trains users to expect something engaging at all times. For teens, this means avoiding boredom and struggling with stillness. The lack of quiet moments impacts emotional regulation and self-awareness, not just for teens but for all of us.

Q: Do you see digital technology and social media shaping teens’ faith and spirituality?

Song: Technology often becomes the primary source of discipleship. It shapes how we think about time, self-worth and relationships, often more than faith communities do. Social media engagement and email consumption profoundly form us in ways our churches struggle to match.

Faith practices like prayer or scripture reading must address the realities of our digital lives. Instead of viewing them as disconnected, we should show how they counteract the constant formative pressure of technology. This can help teens cultivate an interior life capable of perceiving God’s presence amidst digital distractions.

Q: What practical advice can parents use to help their teens navigate technology wisely?

Song: Don't approach technology as just a set of rules—that often leads to power struggles. Instead, have ongoing conversations. For example, if a child spends excessive time online and feels drained afterward, suggest trying less screen time for two weeks and then reassess. This collaborative approach helps everyone realize we're all figuring this out.

Creating sacred spaces—tech-free zones or times—can also help. Keep bedrooms phone-free and use an alarm clock instead of a phone. Small habits, like avoiding screens during the first 15 minutes of the day, can build lifelong practices of intentionality and presence.

Key Takeaways for Ministry Leaders

1. Create Space for Digital Discipleship Church leaders have a unique opportunity to help families integrate faith practices with digital realities. Consider developing programs that address how technology shapes spiritual formation and offer practical guidance for maintaining spiritual disciplines in a digital age.

2. Foster Authentic Community Youth ministries can intentionally create opportunities for face-to-face connection and relationship building. Design activities that encourage embodied presence and meaningful interaction without screens, helping teens experience the richness of in-person community.

3. Equip Parents for the Journey Support parents through regular workshops, resource sharing, and open discussions about technology's impact on family life and faith formation. Help them develop practical strategies for creating sacred spaces and maintaining healthy boundaries with technology.

While technology brings unprecedented challenges to ministry, it also offers opportunities for meaningful discussions about balance, boundaries and intentional living. By approaching these challenges collaboratively, church leaders can help families develop healthy relationships with technology while strengthening both family connections and faith formation. Together, we can guide the next generation in using digital tools to enhance rather than hinder their spiritual growth.