Faith in the Age of Social Media: Helping Teens Navigate Online Influences

by Anna Claire Campbell, Youth Ministry Intern

Social media is everywhere, and for teens, it can feel exciting but also overwhelming. Apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat help teens connect with friends and keep up with trends, but they can also bring pressure, comparison, and anxiety. For Christian families, there is a way to approach social media that keeps it healthy and faith-centered. In this post, we’ll share simple tips, Bible verses, and ideas to help parents and teens talk openly about social media and stay grounded in faith while using it.

Why Teens Are Drawn to Social Media (and How It Impacts Them)

Social media is fun. It’s an easy way for teens to talk to friends, keep up with what’s happening, and share their own lives. Instagram lets them post photos and be creative, Snapchat makes it simple to send quick pictures or messages, and TikTok or Instagram Reels offer endless funny or entertaining videos.

But along with the fun comes some tough stuff. Too much scrolling can lead to anxiety, depression, mood swings, and issues with body image. Studies show that social media can make teens feel like they have to look or act a certain way, and those pressures can take a toll.

Experts, including those from the Child Mind Institute, recommend waiting until at least eighth grade before letting teens on social media. By then, most teens are better able to handle the challenges that come with it—but every child is different, so it depends on their maturity and how much support they have at home.

When Social Media Becomes Too Much

If social media starts to feel like it’s doing more harm than good, it may be time for a break. Deleting or deactivating accounts—even just temporarily—can be a healthy reset.

Encourage your teen to step back and think about how they’re feeling. Is scrolling making them anxious? Are they comparing themselves to others? Ask how their faith and relationships feel in this season. These questions can help them see if social media is taking up too much space in their lives.

Taking a break doesn’t mean quitting forever. Sometimes even a weekend away from screens can make a big difference.

A Social Media Posting Checklist

Before posting anything online, ask these questions:

1. In 5–10 years, will I still feel okay about this?

2. Is there anything mean or offensive in this post?

3. Does this reflect my values and what I believe?

4. Could this post hurt my chances with college or a job?

5. Would I be embarrassed if my parents or pastor saw it?

6. Is it kind? Is it honest?

7. Does it honor God?

Bible Verses to Help Teens Navigate Social Media

Social media often creates unrealistic standards and comparison traps. It’s important to come back to what God says about our worth and identity. Here are a few verses that can help:

• Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

• 1 Corinthians 13: A reminder that love is patient, kind, and never self-seeking, even in what we post or comment.

• Galatians 5:14: "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Talk about these verses with your teen and remind them that their value isn’t measured by likes or comments but by who they are in God.

Faith-Based Tips for Healthy Teen Social Media Use

Here are some ideas to help keep social media positive at home:

1. Set Time Limits: Utilize built-in phone settings, such as Screen Time (iPhone) or Digital Wellbeing (Android), to manage your daily screen time.

2. Talk Before They Post: Encourage open conversations about what’s okay to share online. Once something is posted, it’s hard to truly delete.

3. Focus on Positivity: Suggest posting Bible verses, uplifting quotes, or photos of things that bring joy instead of content that feeds comparison.

4. Model Healthy Use: Teens notice what their parents do. Show them what balanced phone use looks like by being intentional about your habits.

Keeping the Balance: Faith, Family, and Social Media

Talk about social media as a family. Ask your teen what they’re seeing online and how it makes them feel. Keep those conversations open and non-judgmental.

Encourage faith-centered routines that balance out screen time. Go to church together, join youth group events like Donuts & Discovery on Sundays at 9:30 AM, or serve in a mission project. These activities give teens real-life connections that matter more than anything they’ll find online.

You can also make time for family moments without screens—like meals together, game nights, or even just taking a walk. Small habits like these help keep relationships strong and make social media feel less important.

Using Social Media to Share Your Faith

Social media doesn’t have to be all bad. Encourage your teen to use it as a way to share good things. Posting Bible verses, uplifting photos, or even inviting friends to church can be powerful.

There are also platforms that tend to be more positive, like Pinterest, VSCO, or Goodreads.

These can be great starting places for teens before diving into apps that are more high-pressure.

And if you’re looking for faith-based voices online, check out pages/people like @stmttssterling St. Matthew's (shameless plug here), Father Christian Anderson (@your_favorite_christian) a former St. Matthew's seminarian, and Rev. Lizzie (@rev.lizzie) who all share encouraging content.

Final Thoughts

Social media isn’t going anywhere, but it doesn’t have to control our lives. With faith, open conversations, and the right boundaries, teens can use it in a way that’s healthy and God-honoring.

If you want to keep this conversation going, we invite you and your teen to join us for Donuts & Discovery every Sunday at 9:30 AM. It’s a great place for teens to talk about real-life challenges (like social media) with friends and leaders who understand what they’re facing.