The Internet has changed all areas of human life, including religious practices. It allows people to stream services, join online prayer groups, and use apps and websites to read scripture and learn about their faith.
That said, traditional methods are still more popular among devout individuals. A large majority of very religious U.S. adults prefer reading printed religious books over watching related content online. They're also more likely to listen to religious radio than podcasts and prefer attending scripture study groups in person over participating online.
Despite this preference for traditional formats, digital technology has made real inroads among the highly devout (those who attend weekly services, pray daily, and hold religion as very important in their lives). Digital tools like these help individuals weave faith into their daily routines, with about half using them for scripture reading and searching for religious information online. Nearly a third use technology to help remind them to pray.
About three in ten U.S. adults, including non-religious individuals, use the Internet to explore religious topics. Roughly 21% use digital tools for scripture reading and 20% for watching religious videos on platforms like YouTube or TikTok. Another 14% rely on apps to remind them to pray.
When it comes to demographics, members of historically Black Protestant denominations are more engaged with digital technology for religious activities than other groups. While digital tool usage is common among younger adults, those 65 and older are less likely to use these technologies for spiritual purposes. The gap grows among the highly religious, with younger age groups showing much higher engagement with Church Notes and Bible Note Taking Apps.
Further details on the scale of religious technology usage can be found in the report's Overview. The survey also reveals that 17% of U.S. adults have changed their social media interactions because of religious content by unfollowing, unfriending, blocking, or adjusting settings to see less from specific individuals. A smaller percentage (3%) report being unfollowed or blocked by others for posting religious content. The survey also looked at using apps for activities like meditation and expressing gratitude, which some consider spiritual, with 18% of adults using such apps or websites for these purposes.
About 40% of Americans have used apps or websites to assist with religious activities such as praying, reading scripture, meditating, or practicing gratitude.
Around four in ten Americans have used apps or websites to support spiritual practices like praying or reading scripture. Around 20% of U.S. adults use these tools occasionally for tasks such as scripture reading, meditation, showing gratitude, or praying, with more than a third of U.S. adults engaging with these tools for at least one of these purposes. About one in ten U.S. adults use them daily for reading scripture, praying, or being grateful, and 5% for meditation.
Members of historically Black Protestant denominations show higher engagement with religious apps and websites compared to the broader U.S. adult population. They are over twice as likely to use digital tools for scripture reading (47% versus 21%). About one-quarter of these individuals use these apps daily for scripture reading or prayer. Overall, 59% of adults within this tradition report using these technologies for at least one religious activity.
Evangelical Protestants are particularly active in using apps and websites for scripture reading, with 39% engaging in such practices, including 18% who do so daily. They also frequently use apps for prayer at rates higher than many other groups. In contrast, Jewish individuals are less likely to use these technologies for worship, with only 7% doing so, which is lower than most other sizable U.S. religious groups.
About half of U.S. adults with strong religious commitments report using apps or websites to aid their scripture reading, with nearly a third doing so daily. Additionally, 28% of these highly religious individuals use apps for prayer, with 18% using them daily. Across different ethnic groups, Black Americans are more likely to use these digital tools for scripture reading and prayer than other groups, with 41% of Black adults, 25% of Hispanic adults, 18% of Asian adults, and 17% of White adults using them.
Engaging with Religious Leaders Online
Currently, 11% of U.S. adults follow their religious leaders online or on social media. Similarly, around 10% follow celebrities, authors, or pastors specifically for their religious contributions online.
Among those connected to historically Black Protestant churches, 26% use the Internet or social media to follow their religious leaders. In comparison, 23% follow other celebrities or authors for their spiritual content. Evangelical Protestants are another group actively engaging online, with about 20% digitally following their clergy or creators of religious content.
Exploring Religious Information Online
The survey looked at how often Americans turn to the Internet for religious information. Three in ten U.S. adults do this, including 9% who search weekly or more, 11% monthly, and 10% less often. A large majority, 70%, don't seek religious information online at all.
Among specific religious groups, 15% of individuals affiliated with evangelical Protestant denominations or historically Black Protestant churches search for religious information online weekly. In contrast, only 3% of those religiously unaffiliated do so.
When looking at individuals with a high level of religious commitment, 53% report searching online for spiritual information, including 23% who do this at least once a week.
Conclusion
The relationship between technology, religion, and spirituality is complex. While traditional religious activities remain popular, especially among the most devout, digital tools have clearly broadened how people engage with their faith.
Technology brings both opportunities and challenges to religious practice, from scripture-reading apps to online prayer reminders. As these tools become more woven into daily life, they have the potential to make religion more accessible to a tech-savvy generation.
At the same time, the digital divide and preferences for traditional practices show the ongoing balance between innovation and tradition. As technology continues to change, so will its role in spiritual life, opening new ways for people to explore and express their faith.
