Key Findings

Our findings reveal that while 65% of preteens identify as Christian, only 16% fit the profile of “Emerging Committed Christians”—those who actively pray, read Scripture, and hold core Christian beliefs. Most fall into a more casual “nominal” Christian category, highlighting opportunities for deeper spiritual engagement.

The report uncovers several key themes shaping this generation. Building on insights from previous GYC research, Gen Alpha remains deeply connected to their families, with parents often serving as their primary guides on life’s big questions. However, mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and loneliness, are widespread—particularly among girls. Technology plays a central role in their daily lives, with many preteens spending hours gaming and engaging on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

Stand out Stats

• • • Parents Lead the Way: 83% of preteens say their parents are their most trusted source for guidance on right and wrong, and 76% look to them for advice on gender and sexuality.

    • The Power of Shared Faith: 67% of preteens who read the Bible with their parents also read it weekly on their own, compared to just 10% when parents don’t engage in scripture reading.

    • Mental Health Struggles: Nearly half of Gen Alpha (45%) report feeling lonely recently, with 44% experiencing high anxiety and 30% facing depression.

    • Screen Time Snapshot: U.S. preteens average 4 hours online daily outside of schoolwork. While half feel good about their screen time, 40% admit they’d spend even more time online if allowed.

As this generation navigates a rapidly changing world, the report highlights a significant opportunity for churches and families to partner in nurturing their faith, fostering emotional well-being, and guiding them through life’s complexities with love and purpose.

Key Findings

This project aimed to go deeper than typical Gen Z studies on technology and mental health, asking: Who are they? What do they value? How has culture shaped their beliefs?  

• Family and Mentors Matter: Parents are the biggest influence on teens and young adults, but many also have trusted adults outside their family they can rely on.  

• A Vulnerable Transition: Youth aged 16–20 face major challenges as they leave home and transition into adulthood. Teens 16–18 are the least likely to have someone to talk to about things that truly matter.  

• Heavy Burdens: Many Gen Z members feel a deep responsibility for the future, the world’s as well as their own. We can see this stress expressed in the 61% who report a diagnosed anxiety condition.  

• Regional Differences in Stress: Youth in Africa report lower stress levels, showing traits like assertiveness, curiosity, and entrepreneurial energy.  

• A Holistic View of Mental Health: Gen Z sees mental health as part of a bigger picture. Looking for a simple way to check in? Ask, “How would you rate your mental health right now?”

OneHope’s research on Gen Alpha found that over half of 11- and 12-year-olds rank TikTok as their favorite platform, with nearly a third favoring Snapchat. Many preteens easily bypass age restrictions by adjusting their birthdate, exposing them to content and experiences they may not be ready to process.

What can parents, educators, and ministry leaders do to help Gen Alpha navigate and build wisdom when coming up against these digital influences? Drawing from our research and others, here are four practical strategies for raising resilient kids in today’s algorithm-driven world:

1. Model Healthy Habits: Kids pay attention to what adults do. If parents or leaders are glued to their own screens, it becomes harder to encourage balanced tech use. Modeling boundaries—like setting device-free times—can help show kids how to use technology wisely. Our research on 11- to 13-year-olds found that parents are their biggest influence. We found that when parents engage in faith practices, either on their own or with their children, their kids are more likely to adopt similar habits. This modeling likely extends to tech use as well. 

2. Encourage Critical Thinking: Teach kids to ask questions about the content they’re consuming. Who created this? Why is it showing up in my feed? How is it influencing my thoughts? Helping them see the “why” behind the algorithms empowers them to make intentional choices. Co-viewing with children whenever possible creates opportunities to encourage curiosity and critical thinking in real time.

3. Highlight Bigger Stories: Algorithms thrive on immediacy and trends, but faith and resilience come from engaging with deeper, lasting narratives. Sharing the gospel, talking about eternal purpose, and connecting daily struggles to a greater story can counteract the fleeting nature of the digital world. Watching content together with your kids and talking about its meaning can help them see how their lives fit into a bigger narrative.

4. Foster Strong Relationships: A child’s sense of security and identity is deeply rooted in meaningful, real-life connections. Prioritizing family time, mentorship, and friendships helps give kids a foundation to resist algorithmic manipulation.

For ministries like OneHope, the question is not just how to meet Gen Alpha where they are but how to guide them toward a life of meaning and purpose beyond what the algorithms dictate. As parents and leaders, we can step in—not to shield them from the digital world, but to equip them to navigate it with wisdom and courage.

The Research Team is often asked to create concise fact sheets focused on specific demographics or key findings from our research projects. Two great examples include the Girls Fact Sheet and highlights from The Anxious Generation.

The Girls Fact Sheet draws on GYC research, which uncovered concerning global trends impacting girls, sparking important discussions on how to better support them. This aligns with our latest findings on Gen Alpha girls in the U.S., as well as insights from other leading studies. Similarly, our 2024 Q3 Research Radar featured a review of Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation. Following deeper discussions around the book’s findings, we developed a highlight sheet to summarize key points.

If you’re working on a project and think a research highlights document or fact sheet would be useful, feel free to contact the Research Team—we’d be happy to help!