New data on American Gen Z show that, when it comes to addressing injustices in society, racial injustice is a shared top concern among both teens (32%) and young adults (35%). When looking at the data segmented by race, Black, Hispanic and Asian Gen Z all clearly identify racial injustice as their top concern. With this in mind, Barna Group returned to data from our recent project The Open Generation: United States in an effort to see how racial or ethnic identity might connect to how young people in the U.S. see issues of injustice. As we observe Black History Month, this article also centers the responses of Black teens and young adults, highlighting their perceptions of injustices in society today, how they hope to address them and what might help along the way.
Who do Gen Z trust to teach them more about Jesus? Data from The Open Generation: United States show that U.S. teens are largely interested in learning more about Jesus throughout their life. This article looks at current levels of Christian commitment among U.S. Gen Z and who they might turn to with their curiosity about Jesus Christ. Along the way, we observe some notable shifts in commitment to Christ as teens enter adulthood.
Eighty-two percent of self-identified Christians and 97 percent of practicing Christians view developing their gifts as a way to grow closer to God, according to new research in Gifted for More, a recent Barna report created in partnership with Lutheran Hour Ministries. Today’s article takes a look at how each generation perceives gift awareness and development, paying special attention to responses from Gen Z, the youngest polled generation and a group faith leaders have an opportunity to better engage by addressing this topic.
What does it look like to be comfortable in the act of talking about one’s Christian faith in an era where skepticism is high and evangelism is unpopular? Today’s article specifically takes a look at recent findings from the Reviving Evangelism in the Next Generation study, paying special attention to how Gen Z defines a comfortable evangelist and how non-Christians in this generation prefer to be approached when Christians are witnessing to them.
When compared to older generations, Gen Z teens—ages 13–18—in both the U.S. and Canada think about and approach spiritual conversations in their own unique way. Today’s article offers research on how this group defines evangelism and feels while sharing their faith, offering necessary context for church leaders who are pondering how to activate this next generation in their faith-sharing endeavors.
Screens are everywhere. Whether at work, school or home, no generation is exempt from tech's influence in this digital age, especially as society moves further into a COVID-shaped reality that has necessitated an even greater dependence on devices. While utilizing technology and media has its benefits, turning to devices too often can have harmful repercussions as well—and recent Barna data show that at least the younger generations (namely, Gen Z) are speaking up about their ambivalent relationship with technology.
Drive—or ambition and optimism about the future—is a key generational attribute of 13– to 21–year olds, something Barna researchers first identified in a 2018 study with Impact 360 Institute. Recent data from our new report, Gen Z: Volume 2, show that trends surrounding drive extend into 2020. So is drive good or bad for Gen Z's emotional well-being?
Strengthen your ability to reach and engage Gen Z with ground-breaking new research and insights from Barna & Impact 360. Gen Z Vol. 2 explores Gen Z's emotional lives, their relationship with technology, how they feel about and practice faith, and more.
The information revolution has transformed the way everyone lives—but especially the youngest generations. Recent Barna data show that the average American teen receives their first smartphone at around 12 to 13 years of age and their first tablet around age 11. The U.S. childhood and adolescent experience is mediated by screens, both in and outside the home. In light of this, how should teens and their families respond to the new force shaping their lives?
Over time, consensus on central beliefs has waned, and younger generations are now inheriting this new moral landscape. Though still in a formative stage of life, the leading edge of Gen Z (along with Millennials) holds some notably different views on a range of moral, social and political issues.
Parents and youth pastors hope to impart a lasting faith to the next generation. In this excerpt from Barna’s Gen Z study, conducted in partnership with Impact 360 Institute, we look at the discipleship interactions that today’s skeptical teens have in the context of two key relationships.
More than any other generation we’ve observed, Gen Z’s expectations are shaped around academic and career success. As millions of teens graduate high school, a new Barna study in partnership with Impact 360 Institute looks at their views on identity, work and the future.
Barna just unveiled a landmark study of Gen Z at a live event (and national webcast) last month in Atlanta. Throughout the event we asked for viewers to submit their own questions about Gen Z. We received an overwhelming response and weren’t able to get to all of them. So we’ve decided to address some of your most common and burning questions about Gen Z right here.