The Digital Seekers: Young People Demand More Authentic Faith Portrayals in Media, UCLA Study Finds

A groundbreaking new UCLA study has revealed a significant disconnect between young people’s active online spiritual exploration and their profound dissatisfaction with how mainstream media portrays faith. The study, titled “The Future of Faith: Young People, Media, & Spirituality,” surveyed more than 2,000 people ages 16–24 and conducted focus groups with nearly 100 individuals ages 14–24, encompassing a wide range of belief systems including Evangelical Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, and nonreligious groups. While 68 percent of religious respondents reported developing connections with friends or peers online through religious or spiritual content, only about 40 percent of respondents across nearly every group believed the media portrayed their faith or worldview accurately. Furthermore, 70 percent said that media portrayals of religion and spirituality influence how others treat them, and more than 60 percent felt uncomfortable expressing their religious beliefs due to encountering media content.

Despite the heavy engagement online, the study found that more than 60 percent of respondents noted that their core faith practice takes place in traditional religious spaces or in both traditional and online settings. Young people acknowledged that social media offers more authentic positive representations than TV or film, but they still want everyone—creators, platforms, and storytellers—to do a better job. They desire greater authenticity and a move beyond stereotypical, simplistic portrayals of faith and spirituality. Interestingly, the study also revealed that religious content has a profound impact even on non-religious individuals, with more than 97 percent of religious respondents and 80 percent of non-religious respondents saying a piece of media had spiritually moved, inspired, or comforted them. “There is a real opportunity for media creators to step up and develop content that will spark curiosity, foster connection and open new pathways for young people to explore their faith in a safe environment,” said Yalda T. Uhls, the study’s senior author. The findings are a clear call to action for storytellers, platforms, and faith communities to engage the next generation with honest, nuanced, and transformative portrayals of belief in the digital age.