Research

Screen Time in the Age of the Coronavirus

Common Sense Media’s Research director explains the science behind the new screen rules. Read the full article here.

Half of Gen Z Feel Bad About the Amount of Time Spent on Screens

Barna Group shares research regarding screen time and Gen Z. Read the full article here.

More Americans Than People in Other Advanced Economies Say COVID-19 Has Strengthened Religious Faith

A Pew Research Center survey conducted in the summer of 2020 reveals that more Americans than people in other economically developed countries say the outbreak has bolstered their religious faith and the faith of their compatriots. Read the full article here.

Measuring Religion in Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel

Self-administered surveys indicate that Americans attend religious services less often than previously estimated. Read the full article here.

New Data on Gen Z—Perceptions of Pressure, Anxiety and Empowerment

Barna and Impact 360 Institute have teamed up to learn more about Gen-Z. Read the full article here.

Teens With Negative Body Image May Experience Depression As Adults, Study Finds

Adolescence is fraught with stressful changes, and the developing body can be one of those challenges, especially if a teen’s body doesn’t meet society’s — or that teen’s — standards. This is one reason why it’s so important to have biblical conversations about beauty and worth with our students and children. Read the full article here.

Technology Promises Connection, but Gen Z Sees a Paradox

The information revolution has transformed the way everyone lives—but especially the youngest generations. Read the full article from Barna Group here.

U.S. Teens Take After Their Parents Religiously, Attend Services Together and Enjoy Family Rituals

But American adolescents often participate at parents’ behest, and tend to be less religious in more personal, private ways. Read the full article from Pew Research here.

Parent Alert! Schools Offer Erotic Lit to 5 Year Olds through Library Apps! 5 Ways To Protect Your Kids

Nearly every school-issued device comes with a library app, which seems like a safe and reasonable choice for educational devices, but one parent alerted Protect Young Minds that her kids had easy access to erotic literatureon iPads and Chromebooks issued to kids ages 5-11. Read the full article here.

Strong Relationships Within Church Add to Resilient Faith in Young Adults

Barna Group releases new study showing that strong relationships within church add to resilient faith in young adults. Read the full article here.

Are Today’s Teens More Sexual?

The Christian Post discusses the question, are today’s teens more sexual? Read the full article here.

COVID-19 May Be Making Eating Disorders Worse

New research from scientists at the University of Florence points toward another area of concern: The lockdowns designed to slow the spread of the virus may lead to relapse among patients in treatment for anorexia and bulimia. Read the full article here.

A Third Of Girls Say They Won’t Post Selfies Without Enhancement

A third of girls and young women will not post selfies online without using a filter or app to change their appearance, while a similar proportion have deleted photos with too few “likes” or comments, research has found. Read the full article here.

Warning On Link Between Heavy Instagram Use And Body Image

Spending too much time on Instagram leads to anxiety about body image three months later, according to new research from Federation University. Read the full article here.

3 Reasons Internet Risk is Higher During the Summer

Protect Young Eyes shares 3 reasons that internet risk is higher during the summer season. Read the full article here.

5 Trends Shaping the Next Season of Next Gen Discipleship

Barna Research shares 5 trends shaping the upcoming season of next-gen discipleship. Read the full article here.

Sharp Rise In Child and Adolescent To Parent Violence During Lockdown, Finds Study

Online survey finds 70% of 104 parents experienced increase in violent episodes, while practitioners also identify increase in incidents and risk of long-term harm to mental health. As Youth Leaders and parents it’s important to be aware of this growing trend. Read the full article here.

Key Takeaways On Americans’ Views Of And Experiences With Dating and Relationships

Pew Research Center shares a look into the current views on dating and relationships in the USA. Read the full article here.

Parenting Children in the Age of Screens

Two-thirds of parents in the U.S. say parenting is harder today than it was 20 years ago, with many citing technologies – like social media or smartphones – as a reason. Read the full article here.

Research Finds Social Media Users Are More Likely To Believe Fake News

In a social media world, even your kids will potentially be exposed to fake news and distortions of the truth of what’s happening in the world. Forbes discusses the problem of social media users being more likely to believe fake news in this article.

Pandemic Could Shift Dating Trends Away From Hook-Up Culture

With virtual and socially distanced dates becoming the norm, emotional intimacy is coming before physical, according to experts and people in the dating scene. Read the full article here.

Phoning It In: Study Finds Parental Smartphone Use Rarely Linked To Poor Parenting

According to a new study from Edith Cowan University, parental smartphone use is rarely ever a legitimate sign of a bad parent. Read the full article here.

Excessive Screen Time For Toddlers Linked To Less Physical Activity, Stunted Development

A recent study says excessive screen time may stunt a child’s growth, especially if they start using devices around age two or three. Read the full article here.

TikTok is Breeding a New Batch Of Child Stars. Psychologists Say What Comes Next Won’t Be Pretty.

INSIDER discusses the long-term effects of young fame for children brought on by apps like TikTok. Read the full article here.

Let’s Talk Technology: Barna Resources that Explore Findings from the Digital Age

Barna Research group talks about how digital developments and devices are affecting the Church and the faith formation of practicing Christians, including youth. Read the full article here.

The Global Divide on Homosexuality Persists

Despite major changes in laws and norms surrounding the issue of same-sex marriage and the rights of LGBT people around the world, public opinion on the acceptance of homosexuality in society remains sharply divided by country, region and economic development. Read the full article here.

On the Cusp of Adulthood and Facing an Uncertain Future: What We Know About Gen Z So Far

Pew Research Center shares an in-depth look at Gen Z. Read the full article here.

Most Parents Concerned About Privacy, Body Image Impact Of Tweens Using Health Apps

Health apps have become a popular tool among teens and adults to track fitness, weight loss, sleep and even menstrual cycles – but are they appropriate for tweens? Read the full article here.

Dating and Relationships In The Digital Age

From distractions to jealousy, how Americans navigate cellphones and social media in their romantic relationships. Pew Research shares new findings on dating and relationships in the digital age. Read here.

American Teens Are Having Less Sex Than Their Parents Did

Teenage sex rates have been declining since they peaked in 1988, when just over half of all US teenagers had reported having sex before the age of 20. Read the article here.

The Impacts Of Social Isolation On Kids’ And Adolescents’ Mental Health

The upending of lives across the country and globe has brought an increased attention to mental health. And the youngest of those forced away from the classroom and friends has its negative effects and it’s something that parents need to keep an eye on. Read the full article here.

Obsession With Selfies, Dangerous for Adolescent Girls

Taking a selfie is not a bad thing in itself, but when it becomes an obsession, it can have serious consequences for mental health, especially for adolescent girls. Read the full article here.

Young Women often Face Sexual Harassment Online – Including On Dating Sites and Apps

Online dating has grown in popularity, but many young women report experiencing some form of harassment on these platforms, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. Read the full article here.

Social Media Fitness Trends Flawed, Make Women Feel Worse About Their Bodies

A study from Flinders University says, witnessing #fitpiration contents on the internet increases negative mood and body dissatisfaction in women. Read the full article here.

Digital Dating Abuse Is On The Rise — and Teen Boys Are Most At Risk

New research suggests digital dating abuse is on the rise, and boys may be most at risk. Read the full article here.

What Age Is Appropriate for Dating?

Healthline Parenting news shares some thoughts on the best time to allow your children to date. Read the full article here.

Perils of Teen Dating: Many Teens Are In Abusive Relationships But Few Speak Up

More than a third of teens report being in an abusive relationship but only a few ever tell anyone about it. Read the full article here.

The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens, 2019

Every Just in the past four years, we’ve seen dramatic shifts in online video viewing, smartphone ownership, and more. Read the research from Common Sense Census here.

Suicide Rates Fall Among Sexual-Minority Youth But Still Outpace Heterosexual Peers

Youth suicide rates are dropping in the U.S., but the proportion of teens who have suicidal thoughts or make an attempt remains consistently higher among sexual minorities than among heterosexual young people. Read the full article here.

The Virtues and Downsides of Online Dating

Pew Research shares a detailed look into online dating. Are your teens using online dating? Do their experiences line up with some of the research presented here? Read the full article here.

New Psychology Research Highlights The Importance Of Talking To Your Kids About Media Use

The study found that adolescents were less secretive and showed less signs of aggression when parents were actively involved in conversations regarding media use. Read the full article here.

Teens Who Don’t Date In High School More Socially Adjusted, Study Says

A recent study determined teens who don’t date in high school tend to be more socially adjusted than teens who dated often. Read the full article here.

“Taxi Porn” Study: Porn Fantasies Can Warp Consumers’ Expectations For Reality

Fight The New Drug talks how Porn can actually warp consumers’ perceptions of realistic sexual situations, especially as they relate to strangers. Read the full article here.

More Teen Time on Social Media, More Eating Disorders?

The more often young teens turn to social media, the more prone they are to eating disorders, new research suggests. Read the full article here.

Research Shows TV Is “Shaping Perceptions Of Body Ideals”

Watching TV makes viewers prefer thinner women, according to a new study of body image perceptions. Read the full article here.

What Do Young Adults Really Mean When They Say They Are Christians?

Barna Research shares an insightful look into what young adults mean when they identify as “christian.” Read the full article here.

Report: More Than One in Three 13-Year-Olds Have Been Exposed to Sexting

By the age of 13, more than one in three children who use smartphones have been exposed to sexting, a parenting app has revealed. Read the full article here.

The Real Impact of Social Media on Teens’ Mental Health

Excessive digital media use is taking a toll on adolescent development — but setting screen-time limits can make a positive difference. Read the full article here.

Teen Girls Face Pressure To Get Pregnant

Teen girls experience relationship abuse at alarming rates, according to a new study that specifically focuses on reproductive coercion—pressure from a partner to get pregnant. Read the full article here.

When Social Media Is Really Problematic for Adolescents

Underlying problems may make some young people particularly vulnerable to what they find on social media, an expert says. Read the full article here.

Key Findings On Marriage And Cohabitation In The U.S.

As marriage rates have declined, the share of U.S. adults who have ever lived with an unmarried partner has risen. Read the full article here.

High Schoolers Who Don’t Date Are Less Depressed Than Their Counterparts Who Do, Study Says

A recent study published in the Journal of School Health reveals that adolescents who choose not to date fare as well as, or better than, their coupled counterparts in social and leadership skills. Read the full article here.

A Global Snapshot of Same-Sex Marriage

Pew Research Center shows a global picture of our world’s current views regarding same-sex marriage. Read the full article here.

In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace

Pew Research Center highlights how the religious landscape of the United States continues to change at a rapid pace. Read the full article here.

Anorexia Rates May Be Increasing Among Young People

Psychology Today shares some trends in research pointing to a possible increase in anorexia among young people. The most concerning finding was that rates of anorexia among children aged 12 and under seem to have increased over the past decade. Read the full article here.

What Teens Did a Decade Ago That They Don’t Do Anymore

Here are 15 things teenagers were loving a decade ago in 2009 that are all but forgotten by their modern counterparts. Read the full article here.

The US Just Hit Another Troubling High in STD Rates

A worrying trend in the US shows no signs of stopping: rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to rise, with combined cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia hitting a record high in 2018. Read the full article here.

Social Media Linked To Poor Sleep Among Teens – Study

Teens who use social media for three hours or more per day have problems falling asleep and then struggle to get up for school the next morning, experts say. Read the full article here.

The Complicated Truth About Social Media And Body Image

BBC Future talks about the complicated truth highlighted in research around social media and body image issues. Read the full article here.

Only 10% of Christian Twentysomethings Have Resilient Faith

Barna Research Group recently shared a study pointing to the decline in resilient faith among twentysomethings. Read the full article here.

What Will It Take To Disciple The Next Generation

Barna group shares research around spiritual maturity and discipleship for the next generation. Read the full article here.

Social Media Use By Adolescents Linked To Internalizing Behaviors

A new study shows that adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media are more likely to report high levels of internalizing behaviors compared to adolescents who do not use social media at all. Read the full article here.

Research Looks At How Snapchat Filters Affect Self-Image

Tech Xplore shares the research of graduate student Amy Niu, observing the effects of Snapchat Filters on self-image. Read the full article here.

Non-Dating Teens May Be Less Depressed Than Dating Teens

A new study from the University of Georgia finds that teens who don’t date tend to be less depressed. Read the full article here.

The Scientific Debate Over Teens, Screens And Mental Health

NPR shares an article highlighting the complexity in the debate over teens, screens, and mental health. Read the full article here.

Study Suggests Body Dissatisfaction Begins Before Adolescence, Remains Constant Into Adulthood

Up to 46% of adolescents in the United States report feeling dissatisfied with their bodies, which can lead to eating disorders, obesity, poor mental health and other serious problems. Read the full article here.

Adolescent Relationship Abuse: It’s More Common Than You Think

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 women report experiencing physical abuse, sexual violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner before age 18. Read the full article here.

Warnings That Images Are Digitally Altered? Don’t Bother

While the unrealistic beauty standards put forth on social media have come under the public eye, the fashion industry remains the biggest perpetrator in portraying unrealistic beauty standards. Read the full article here.

What Makes for a Spiritually Vibrant Household?

Barna Group shares research on what makes a spiritually vibrant household. Read the full article here.

Social Media And Teen Body Image

Young people are spending more and more time onscreen and are constantly bombarded with images on social media. Can all that screen time have a negative impact on your teen’s body image? Read the full article here.

UA Researcher Finds Motivations For ‘Sexting’ Complicated

A new study out of the University of Arizona is looking into the motivations for why people are sexting. Read the full article here.

Teen Dating Violence Can Lead To Homicide — And Girls Are The Most Common Victims

Domestic violence is common among adults, and women are most frequently the victims. In fact, nearly half of women killed by homicide in the United States are killed by their former or current intimate partners. Read the full article here.

US Teen Birth Rate Declines to Lowest Level On Record

The teen birth rate in the United States dipped to 18 births per 1,000, the lowest since statistics started being kept, the Pew Research Center said Friday. Read the full article here.

Association Of Sexting With Sexual Behaviors And Mental Health Among Adolescents

Researchers explored the relationships between sexting, sexual behavior, and mental health. Read the full article here.

Most Americans Say Sex Education Should Be LGBTQ+-Inclusive

A recent YouGov poll revealed almost 2/3 of Americans think that school should provide education for same-sex sexual activity. See the results here.

Why Is The Teen Birth Rate Falling?

The teen birth rate in the United States is at a record low, dropping below 18 births per 1,000 girls and women ages 15 to 19 for the first time since the government began regularly collecting data on this group. Read the full article here.

Nationwide Study on Teen ‘Sexting’ Has Good News, Bad News

The good news is that adolescent “sexting” is not at epidemic levels as reported in some media headlines. The bad news is that it also has not decreased despite preventive efforts by educators and others. Read the full article here.

More U.S. Teenagers Are Trying to Lose Weight Than in Years Past, That May Be Reason for Concern

Despite messages of healthy body image and holistic wellness for youth, a new study shows more young people are dieting than years prior. Read the full article here.

“Send Nudes”: Sexting Is The New Normal For Students Everywhere, Research Finds

Fight the New Drug shares just how prevalent sexting has become for students around the globe. Read the full article here.

Smartphone Usage Amongst Children Must Be Monitored, Says Expert

Street Rehab Specialist Mandy Saligari cautions that screen time is normally ignored as a possible vehicle for addiction in adolescents. Read the full article here.

Many Teen Girls Pressured By Partners To Get Pregnant

Nearly one in eight sexually active teen girls are pressured by their partners to have unprotected sex and try to conceive when they don’t want a baby, a U.S. study suggests. Read the full article here.

Nearly a Quarter of Men 18–24 Have Signs of Disordered Eating

Nearly a quarter of men 18-24 show signs of disordered eating… often times with the intention of gaining muscle, not losing weight. Are your sons showing signs of disordered eating to maintain a muscular physique? It may be worth having a conversation. Read the full article here.

Digital Exhibitionism: Why Strangers Are Airdropping Nudes To Unsuspecting Strangers

Fight the New Drug highlights a disturbing rise in “cyber-flashing,” where people airdrop naked photographs to unsuspecting phone users in their close vicinity. For parents of iPhone users, protect your kids by setting their Airdrop function to “Receiving Off.” Read the full article here.

Watching Porn Linked To Higher Unethical Behavior At Work

Even while the harms of pornography grow bigger and bigger in the cultural spotlight, your kids will hear from peers and other parents that it’s “harmless fun.” It’s important for you as a parent to be aware of the growing body of research proving that it is indeed harmful… even from a purely psychological perspective. Read the full article here.

75% Vs. 99%: Porn Consumption Rates Among Young Adults Are Underreported

Fight The New Drug shares a study claiming that people watch a lot more pornography than is often reported. Read the full article here.

Almost A Third Of Teenagers Sleep With Their Phones, Survey Finds

Sixty-eight percent of teenagers reported that they keep their mobile devices within reach at night, a telephone and online survey released Tuesday by the nonprofit Common Sense Media found. Read the full article here.

Report Details The Devastating Effects Social Media Is Having On Gen Z

A study released in Jan 2018 by Barna Research Group reveals that Generation Z is more emotionally affected by the perils of social media than other generations who are also online. Read the full article here.

Nearly 40% of LGBTQ Youth Have Contemplated Suicide

A new study reports that nearly 40% of LGBTQ youth have contemplated suicide at some point. Read the full article here.

Instagram And Self-Harm: 1 In 3 Youth Who See Cutting Images Try It Themselves, Study Suggests

Young people who see images of cutting on Instagram are more likely to hurt themselves by imitating the act, and also are at higher risk for suicide, a new study suggests. Read the full article here.

Millions of Teens Identify Social Media As Key Cause of Worries About Body Image, New Research Reveals

A new survey released by the Mental Health Foundation has revealed 40% of teens worry about their body image after viewing images on social media. Read the full article here.

People Who Use Dating Apps Are More Likely To Have Eating Disorders, Harvard Study Shows

People who use dating apps are more likely to have eating disorders, abuse laxatives or use other unhealthy weight management practices than people who don’t date online, Harvard researchers found in a new study published Friday in the Journal of Eating Disorders. Read the full article here.

One In Eight Adults Have had Suicidal Thoughts Over Body Image Concerns

A study in Britain found that millions of British adults have experienced suicidal thoughts or feelings due to their body image… pointing to the importance of having conversations with your kids about the effects of social media on self worth. Read the full article here.

Under Employers’ Gaze, Gen Z Is Biting Its Tongue On Social Media

NPR shares an article sharing how employers often view potential employees’ social media accounts to learn more about them. Read the full article here.

What Shapes Men’s Body Image? These New Findings May Surprise You

In today’s culture of social media and “fake news,” “fake bodies” (a.k.a. “computer-enhanced imaging”) have become a powerfully influential norm. Read the full article here.

Superheroes Make Long-Term Impact On Child Sexuality: Study

The New York Post discusses the affects that superheroes and unrealistic body types can have on children, even into adulthood. Read the full article here.

Teens Don’t Seem To Grow Out Of Problematic Cell Phone Use

Some teenagers develop a craving to use a cell phone during inappropriate times, and new research suggests it is not something that is likely to change as they become young adults. Read the full article here.

Unwanted Sexting Linked To Anxiety, Depression, and Low Self-Esteem

A new study shows early evidence that receiving unsolicited sexual imagery through text, or being coerced into sending it is associated with mental health distress. Read the full article here.

Female Artists Increasingly Portrayed With Sexually Suggestive Movements In Popular Music Videos

There has been a rise in sexually suggestive movements in popular music videos, according to a study published in Psychology of Popular Media CultureRead the full article here.

Study: More People Are Reading the Bible This Year, But Many Believers Are Reading It Less

The 2019 version of the “State of the Bible” study from the American Bible Society and the Barna Group, found more people are consulting the Bible in 2019 than 2018, but of those who said they were “Bible-centered,” 9.9 million decreased their engagement with Scripture. Read the full article here.

U.S. Teen Girls At Risk In Dating Violence, Study Says

A study shows that teen girls are more at risk than boys in dating violence. Read the full article here.