Religious Experts Discuss Role of Digital Media in Attracting Young People to Christianity

Generation Z is using digital prayer apps and social media to connect with Christianity, according to interviews conducted by Fox News Digital with religious experts. Young Americans, who spend up to 10 hours a day on screens, are accessing Christian prayer apps and comic books that have accumulated millions of views and reads.

These platforms combine modern technology with biblical storytelling to introduce users to the Gospel.

com founder and CEO Steve Gatena, and Kingstone Comics CEO Art Ayris. The discussions focused on how young people are turning to faith and the role of digital media in fostering interest. This trend occurs amid broader reports of declining traditional church attendance among younger demographics, though digital engagement shows increased interaction with religious content.

com shared a personal experience from 2016, when he lost his business partner in a plane crash and received a Christian podcast that influenced his path. He noted that younger audiences under 30 are engaging with biblical stories through formats like cinematic retellings, short-form videos, and audio devotionals.

Gatena stated, 'The Gospel has always traveled through the language of its time, from papyrus to the printing press to podcasts.

Father Dave Pivonka, who ministers to thousands of teenagers and young adults via the university’s Steubenville Conferences, described how young people seek meaning, purpose, and boundaries through faith. He highlighted the contrast between the 'loud, mechanical, digital' world and the quiet encounter with God in church settings.

Pivonka emphasized that while digital tools aid initial connections, authentic relationships in religious communities provide deeper satisfaction.