Digital Religion and Millennial Faith in the U.S. and Canada

Author: University of Waterloo
Published: 27 Jul 2022 - Updated: 19 Sep 2026
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed | Research, Study, Analysis

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This report examines how digital religion is shaping spirituality among millennials, highlighting its role in enriching their faith experiences. The study, published in the Review of Religious Research, reveals that digital platforms such as online sermons, chat groups with pastors, and religious social media content are not replacing traditional in-person religious practices but complementing them for a significant minority of millennials. It explores the social contexts influencing digital religion, noting its prevalence in more religious environments like the U.S. compared to secular settings like Canada. This information is particularly relevant for understanding how technology can offer spiritual spaces for individuals who may face barriers to physical participation, including seniors and people with disabilities, by providing accessible avenues for engagement.*

At a Glance

• 1 - Digital religion practices are much more common in the more religious U.S. than in the more secular Canadian context.
• 2 - In the mid-1990s, the term cyber-religion was used to describe the link between religion and virtual reality technology.
• 3 - The research is the first to examine who practices digital religion and to what end, not just how widely it has been adopted.
• 4 - Fewer people than ever are filling church pews, and many religious leaders saw digital communication as a way to slow secularization.

Topic Definition

Digital Religion

Digital religion refers to the ways people practice faith through the internet and digital technology. That includes watching livestreamed or recorded services, joining online prayer and study groups, talking with clergy through chat or video, and following faith content on social media and apps. The term also names the academic field that studies these practices and how they change belief, community, and religious authority. Early researchers in the 1990s called it cyber-religion. As social media and interactive Web 2.0 platforms took hold in the 2000s, digital religion became the standard term. For many believers, especially people who can't easily attend in person because of disability, illness, age, or distance, digital religion is a practical way to stay connected to a faith community.

Overview

The growing trend of digital religion among US and Canadian millennials mostly complements, not substitutes, in-person participation in organized religion, a new study found.

As digital forms of communication increased, many in the religious community saw an opportunity to stem the tide of secularization in North America.

The study by University of Waterloo sociology professor Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme explores if digital technologies facilitate a 'spiritual revolution' and if they provide important spiritual and religious spaces for new population segments removed from more conventional forms of organized religion.

"We know that more and more people are turning towards digital mediums for spirituality such as chat groups with pastors, online sermons, and religious content on social media," said Wilkins-Laflamme. "We've found that while digital religion isn't necessarily attracting a lot of new millennials to participate, it is making the experience of those already involved richer."

Wilkins-Laflamme notes that while digital religion is a phenomenon among many millennials, it's not a part of the lives of the vast majority of this demographic.

"It is still present though for a sizeable minority of the young adult population, and many of them, digital religion plays an important complementary role to the in-person practicing of their faith," said Wilkins-Laflamme.

While past scholarship has examined the adoption of digital religion and its role in spirituality, Wilkins-Laflamme's report is the first to examine who is practicing it and to what end.

"Social environment does play an important role, with digital religion practices much more prevalent in the generally more religious U.S. context, compared with the generally more secular Canadian context," said Wilkins-Laflamme. "Digital religion practices are often, but not always, tied to other in-person religious and spiritual activities among millennials."

The study, Digital Religion Among U.S. and Canadian Millennial Adults, was published in the Review of Religious Research.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

What are common examples of digital religion?

Common examples include livestreamed worship services, recorded sermons, prayer and Bible study apps, online prayer groups, virtual chat sessions with clergy, and faith-based podcasts and social media accounts.

Can people with disabilities participate in religious services online?

Yes. Many congregations now livestream services with captions, offer recorded sermons, and host virtual small groups, which helps people with mobility, sensory, or chronic health limitations take part from home.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect digital religion?

Pandemic restrictions pushed many churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples to move services online almost overnight, and many congregations kept hybrid in-person and online options after reopening.

Is online worship considered as valid as attending in person?

Views differ by faith tradition. Some groups fully accept virtual participation, while others hold that certain practices, such as communion or group prayer, require being physically present.

What accessibility features should religious websites and apps include?

Helpful features include closed captions, transcripts of sermons, screen reader compatibility, adjustable text size, high color contrast, keyboard navigation, and sign language interpretation for video content.

Does digital religion help older adults stay connected to their faith?

It can. Seniors who are homebound or live in care facilities may use livestreams, phone-in services, and video calls to stay in touch with their congregation, although some need help with the technology.

What are the drawbacks of practicing faith mainly online?

Possible drawbacks include weaker personal relationships within a congregation, fewer chances to serve in person, screen fatigue, exposure to misinformation, and barriers for people without reliable internet access.

How can congregations make digital ministry more inclusive?

Congregations can caption all videos, provide printed and audio versions of materials, test platforms with disabled members, offer tech support, and invite online participants to share prayer requests and take part in discussions.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: As society continues to evolve alongside technology, recognizing the growing influence of digital religion offers crucial insight into the changing face of faith. This shift is not just a generational trend but a response to deeper needs for accessibility, relevance, and inclusiveness in spiritual life - needs that digital spaces are increasingly able to meet for a broader spectrum of people, including those historically underserved by conventional religious institutions. The findings underscore the transformative potential of digital religion as a bridge between tradition and modernity. While it enriches existing spiritual practices, its limited accessibility highlights the need for inclusive design to ensure that marginalized groups, such as individuals with disabilities or seniors, can fully participate in this evolving spiritual landscape.*

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by University of Waterloo and published on 27 Jul 2022, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.