How social media has changed how young people consume religion
By Katemarthason Okudo, September 13, 2026For many young people, learning about religion no longer starts and ends inside a place of worship. A phone can now become a source of sermons, Bible verses, Quran recitations, prayers, religious discussions and spiritual advice.
Platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook have changed how religious messages are found, consumed and shared. Instead of waiting for a particular day to attend a service or listen to a religious programme, young people can now access faith-based content whenever they want.
Religion has moved to the phone
The growth of short-form video has made religious content easier to access. A young person scrolling through TikTok or Instagram can come across a short sermon, a scripture explanation, a prayer or a discussion about faith alongside entertainment and other everyday content.
According to Pew Research Center, nine in ten teenagers use YouTube, while the majority also use TikTok and Instagram. This means that religious organisations and individuals have access to platforms where young people already spend much of their time.
This has changed the experience of consuming religious messages. A sermon that once required attending a service can now be watched from a bedroom, while a religious discussion can be followed during a commute or lunch break.
Short videos are changing how messages are delivered
Social media has also influenced the way religious teachings are presented.
Long sermons and detailed teachings can be difficult to follow online, especially for audiences used to short videos. As a result, some religious content is now presented through short clips focusing on one verse, question, lesson, or personal experience.
The format can make religion feel more accessible to young people who may not regularly attend religious services. A complicated subject can be broken down into a few minutes, while captions and visuals can make the message easier to follow.
However, the same format can also leave little room for deeper explanations. Religious teachings often involve history, context and interpretation, which may not fit into a short video.
Young people can explore different beliefs
Social media has also opened the door to religious content from different communities.
A young person can follow Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, or other faith-based accounts without having to physically visit different places of worship. They can listen to different interpretations, compare teachings, and ask questions through comments or direct messages.
About two in ten US adults use apps or websites to watch religion-focused videos on platforms such as YouTube or TikTok. The study also found that people use digital tools for scripture reading, prayer reminders, and other religious activities.
This wider access can encourage curiosity and religious learning, particularly among young people who may have questions they are uncomfortable asking in person.
The rise of religious influencers
Another major change is the emergence of religious creators who communicate directly with online audiences.
Some use social media to explain scripture, answer questions, share personal experiences, or encourage followers through daily messages. Their content can reach thousands of people beyond the physical boundaries of their churches, mosques, or other religious communities.
For young audiences, the informal style can sometimes feel more relatable than traditional religious programming. A person speaking directly to a camera may appear less distant than a formal broadcast.
At the same time, popularity does not necessarily mean accuracy. Social media users may come across religious opinions presented as facts, making it important to check teachings against reliable religious sources and established texts.
From watching to participating
Social media has not only changed how young people receive religious messages. It has also made them participants.
They can comment on sermons, share prayers, post Bible verses or other religious teachings, join online discussions and send messages to people asking for prayers. A religious message can therefore move from one person’s account to hundreds or thousands of other users within minutes.
This has created a form of religious community that can exist beyond a physical building.
However, online religion does not necessarily replace traditional worship. For some young people, social media works alongside attending services, studying scripture and participating in religious communities.
The biggest change may therefore be the way religion fits into everyday life. It can appear between a music video and a comedy clip, during a morning scroll or late at night when someone is looking for encouragement.
Social media has made religious content more immediate, personal, and widely available. But as young people navigate this new digital religious space, the challenge remains knowing what to trust, what to question, and when to look beyond a short video for a deeper understanding of faith.