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.